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 57–58) Matakohe, New Zealand |
| Spouse | Toni |
| Children | 6 |
Early life edit
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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
Tana has six children with his wife Toni.[5]
References edit
- ^ "2016_Electoral_expenses_and_donation_form_-_Tana_M.pdf" (PDF). Porirua City Council.
- ^ Fallon, Virginia (9 October 2016). "'It's a great day for Porirua' as Mike Tana takes mayoral win". Dominion Post. Stuff.
- ^ a b "Meet Mike Tana". The New Zealand Public Service Association - Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ Wong, Justin (6 December 2022). "Controversial ex-mayor finally gets portrait after avoiding council for years". Dominion Post. Stuff.
- ^ a b c "'It's a great day for Porirua' as Mike Tana takes mayoral win". Stuff. 9 October 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ "Porirua City Council - 2016 Triennial Elections" (PDF). poriruacity.govt.nz. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
- ^ "Mike Tana - Porirua's first Māori mayor". Māori Television. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ "Porirua Mayor Mike Tana called 'a man of tint'". Stuff. 9 August 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ "2019 Local Government Elections". poriruacity.govt.nz. Porirua City Council. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
External links edit
