Mike Tana
New Zealand politician and trade union leader
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael Darren Tana[1] (born 1965 or 1966)[2] is a New Zealand politician and trade union leader. He was mayor of Porirua from 2016 to 2019.
Mike Tana | |
|---|---|
| |
| 5th Mayor of Porirua | |
| In office 26 October 2016 – 30 October 2019 | |
| Deputy | Izzy Ford |
| Preceded by | Nick Leggett |
| Succeeded by | Anita Baker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1965 or 1966 (age 59–60) Matakohe, New Zealand |
| Spouse | Toni |
| Children | 6 |
Early life
Tana is from Matakohe, near Ruawai in the Northland region.[3] His iwi are Ngāti Whātua and Ngāpuhi.[4]
He has an agricultural science degree from Massey University.[3]
Career
He has been senior biosecurity adviser at the Ministry for Primary Industries, and the president of the 62,000-strong Public Service Association.[5]
Career in politics
He announced in August 2016 that he would be running for Mayor of Porirua and he ran a poorly-funded campaign.[5] Tana won the 2016 mayoral election, receiving 5,887 votes (after other candidates were eliminated on the STV ballot).[6] He was the first Māori mayor of Porirua, and one of only a small number of Māori mayors in New Zealand history.[7]
Tana grew up experiencing racism, and when he was elected Mayor he joined Porirua City up to an anti-racism campaign.[8]
Tana ran for Mayor again in the 2019 local elections but failed to win re-election, instead coming in 2nd place behind Anita Baker.[9]
Personal life
Tana has six children with his wife Toni.[5]
