Darleen Tana
Darleen Tana | |
---|---|
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Green party list | |
Assumed office 14 October 2023 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Northland, New Zealand |
Political party | Green |
Darleen Sheree Tana Hoff-Neilsen is a New Zealand environmental scientist, businesswoman, and politician, representing the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand as a Member of Parliament since the 2023 New Zealand general election.[1]
Early life and career
Tana was born in Northland.[2][3] She is of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Ngā Rauru and Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa descent.[4] She grew up with Māori language around her in a marae setting.[5][6] Some of her experiences growing up in Northland include gathering shellfish at the beach and Waitangi Day celebrations.[5]
Tana went to Bay of Islands College in Kawakawa and then to Whangārei High School (in Whangārei).[5] She became an environmental scientist, with a Bachelor of Chemical Technology from Massey University.[4] One of her early environmental science jobs was at Horizons Regional Council.[5]
Tana received a Rotary Foundation scholarship to study abroad, where she earned an MBA from Solvay International Business School.[4] She held senior roles as a business analyst in telecommunications in Brussels before returning to New Zealand in 2013. While overseas Tana worked on projects in China and Singapore.[3][4][5] Tana speaks Flemish and French.[5]
Tana and her husband founded e-mobility firm Bikes and Beyond.[3][4] The business started in 2013 initially on Waiheke Island and has expanded to other locations.[5] On Waiheke Tana has also been involved in the Kelp Gardeners Project as part of the Waiheke Marine Project. The Kelp Gardeners Project takes an indigenous-informed approach to marine care.[7]
Political career
Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023–present | 54th | List | 13 | Green |
In the 2020 general election she stood in the Northland electorate, where she came fourth with 1,749 votes.[2][8]
Tana contested Tāmaki Makaurau in the 2023 election. She was thirteenth on the national list.[2] Her campaign was supported by Marama Davidson, the co-leader of the Green Party who had previously contested the electorate.[9] While third place in her electorate, Tana was elected as a list member for the Greens based on the party vote.[10][11]
Tana said she seeks to ensure that the government "gets real on climate action, regenerates our taiao (environment), and removes the shackles of a system that is designed to keep us poor, without means, or on a fast track to jail".[9] She has spoken in support of the party's Hoki Whenua Mai policy, which seeks to return historic land to Maori.[12]
References
- ^ "Meet our Candidate Darleen Tana Hoff-Nielsen". Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ a b c Harawira, Tumamao (30 August 2023). "Darleen Tana to contest Tāmaki Makaurau for the Greens". Te Ao News.
- ^ a b c "Green Party's Northland electorate candidate is Darleen Tana Hoff-Nielsen". Northern Advocate. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Ralfini, Aimée (30 April 2023). "Darleen Tana". Verve Magazine.
- ^ a b c d e f g Ling, Jenny (29 September 2020). "Life's journey coming full circle". The Northern Advocate – via PressReader.
- ^ "Greens co-leader Marama Davidson pulls out of electorate race". RNZ. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ "Kōura". WMP phase two. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ "Northland – Official Result". Electoral Commission. 2020.
- ^ a b "Greens co-leader Marama Davidson pulls out of electorate race". Radio New Zealand. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ "Tāmaki Makaurau - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ "2023 General Election - Successful Candidates". Electoral Commission. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ "Hoki Whenua Mai strategy good for environment says Greens". Waatea News. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- Living people
- 21st-century New Zealand politicians
- 21st-century New Zealand women politicians
- Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives
- Unsuccessful candidates in the 2020 New Zealand general election
- Candidates in the 2023 New Zealand general election
- Women members of the New Zealand House of Representatives
- Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand MPs
- New Zealand list MPs
- Māori MPs
- Ngāti Porou people
- Ngāpuhi people
- Ngā Rauru people
- Te Āti Awa people
- Ngāti Kahungunu people
- People from the Northland Region