Parekura Horomia

Parekura Tureia Horomia (9 November 1950 - ) is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. He is currently a member of the cabinet, a Minister of Maori affairs, Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment, Associate Minister of Education, Associate Minister of State Services, and Associate Minister of Fisheries.cite press release|publisher=New Zealand Government|date=31 October 2007|title=Ministerial List for Announcement on 31 October 2007|url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/Documents/Files/Ministerial%20List.DOC|format=DOC]

Horomia was born in Tolaga Bay of Ngati Porou, Te Aitanga Hauiti, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngai Tahu descent. He initially worked as a manual labourer and then as a printer in the newspaper industry. Later, Horomia became involved in the Department of Labour's work schemes on the East Coast and was gradually appointed to supervisory positions in the programme. Horomia gradually rose through the ranks, becoming a civil servant — in 1992, he was appointed general manager of the Community Employment Group. At the same time, he began to take on a number of prominent positions with Māori community organisations.

In the 1999 elections, Horomia stood as the Labour Party candidate for the Ikaroa-Rawhiti electorate (a Māori seat). He successfully defeated Derek Fox, a prominent figure in Māori politics who was standing as an independent candidate. In the new Labour government formed after that election, Horomia became a minister outside cabinet, being Associate Minister of Māori Affairs, Associate Minister for Economic Development, Associate Minister of Employment, and Associate Minister of Education. In 2000, Dover Samuels was forced to step down as Minister of Māori Affairs after criminal allegations were made against him, and Horomia was appointed in his place. Although Samuels was cleared, it was decided that Horomia would retain the Māori Affairs portfolio, and he has held it since.

In December 2004, Parekura Horomia also became Associate Minister of State Services and Associate Minister of Youth Affairs.

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