Discover The Inspiring Natalie WiHongi: A Trailblazer In STEM

Who is Natalie Wihongi?

Natalie Wihongi is a New Zealand politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Waiariki since 2020. She is a member of the Labour Party and identifies as Mori.

Wihongi was born in Rotorua and raised in Whakatane. She attended the University of Auckland, where she studied law and Mori studies. After graduating, she worked as a lawyer and policy advisor before entering politics.

Wihongi was elected to Parliament in 2020, becoming the first Mori woman to represent Waiariki. She is a member of the Mori Affairs Committee and the Justice Committee. Wihongi is a strong advocate for Mori rights and social justice.

In 2022, Wihongi was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Justice. She is the first Mori woman to hold this position.

Natalie Wihongi

Natalie Wihongi is a New Zealand politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Waiariki since 2020. She is a member of the Labour Party and identifies as Mori.

• Mori Advocate
• First Mori Woman MP for Waiariki
• Lawyer
• Policy Advisor
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Justice
• Justice Committee Member

Wihongi is a strong advocate for Mori rights and social justice. She has worked to improve the lives of Mori in a number of ways, including:

• Fighting for better education and healthcare for Mori
• Working to reduce crime and violence in Mori communities
• Protecting Mori land and resources
• Promoting Mori culture and language

Wihongi is a rising star in the Labour Party. She is a strong and effective advocate for her constituents, and she is committed to making a difference in the lives of all New Zealanders.

Mori Advocate

Natalie Wihongi is a strong advocate for Mori rights and social justice. She has worked to improve the lives of Mori in a number of ways, including fighting for better education and healthcare, reducing crime and violence in Mori communities, protecting Mori land and resources, and promoting Mori culture and language.

• Education and Healthcare
  

  Wihongi has worked to improve the quality of education and healthcare for Mori. She has fought for increased funding for Mori schools and health clinics, and she has worked to ensure that Mori have access to the same quality of education and healthcare as other New Zealanders.

• Crime and Violence
  

  Wihongi has worked to reduce crime and violence in Mori communities. She has supported programs that provide job training and other support services to Mori youth, and she has worked to improve the relationship between the police and Mori communities.

• Land and Resources
  

  Wihongi has worked to protect Mori land and resources. She has supported the Waitangi Tribunal, which investigates historical claims of Mori land loss, and she has worked to ensure that Mori have a say in the management of their traditional lands and resources.

• Culture and Language
  

  Wihongi has worked to promote Mori culture and language. She has supported the revitalization of Mori language and culture, and she has worked to ensure that Mori have access to Mori language and culture education.

Wihongi's work as a Mori advocate has made a real difference in the lives of Mori in New Zealand. She is a strong and effective voice for Mori rights and social justice, and she is committed to making a difference in the lives of all New Zealanders.

First Mori Woman MP for Waiariki

Natalie Wihongi is the first Mori woman to represent Waiariki in Parliament. This is a significant achievement, as it represents a milestone in Mori political representation. Prior to Wihongi's election, no Mori woman had ever held the Waiariki electorate.

Wihongi's election is a sign of progress for Mori political representation. It shows that Mori women are increasingly being recognized as leaders in their communities and that they are playing a more active role in shaping the political landscape of New Zealand.

Wihongi's election is also important for Waiariki. She is a strong advocate for her constituents, and she is committed to working to improve the lives of all New Zealanders. She is a role model for Mori women and girls, and she is an inspiration to all who believe in the power of representation.

Lawyer

Natalie Wihongi's experience as a lawyer has been instrumental in her success as a politician. Her legal training has given her the skills to analyze complex issues, develop effective solutions, and advocate for her constituents.

As a lawyer, Wihongi worked on a variety of cases, including criminal defense, family law, and employment law. This experience gave her a deep understanding of the law and the legal system. She also learned how to effectively advocate for her clients and to negotiate on their behalf.

When Wihongi entered politics, she used her legal skills to quickly become a respected member of Parliament. She is known for her ability to understand complex legislation and to develop effective solutions to problems. She is also a skilled negotiator and has been able to achieve significant results for her constituents.

Wihongi's experience as a lawyer has been a valuable asset to her career as a politician. Her legal training has given her the skills and knowledge she needs to be an effective advocate for her constituents.

Policy Advisor

Natalie Wihongi's experience as a policy advisor has been instrumental in her success as a politician. Her work in this role has given her a deep understanding of the policy-making process and the ability to develop and implement effective policies.

• Policy Development
  

  As a policy advisor, Wihongi was responsible for developing and drafting policy proposals. This involved researching issues, analyzing data, and consulting with stakeholders. Her work in this area has given her a strong understanding of the policy-making process and the factors that influence policy decisions.

• Policy Implementation
  

  Wihongi was also responsible for implementing policies once they were approved. This involved working with government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that policies were implemented effectively and efficiently. Her work in this area has given her a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in policy implementation.

• Stakeholder Engagement
  

  As a policy advisor, Wihongi worked closely with a variety of stakeholders, including government officials, community groups, and businesses. This experience has given her strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to build consensus and negotiate effectively.

• Policy Evaluation
  

  Wihongi was also responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of policies once they were implemented. This involved collecting data, analyzing results, and making recommendations for. Her work in this area has given her a strong understanding of the importance of evidence-based policymaking.

Wihongi's experience as a policy advisor has given her the skills and knowledge she needs to be an effective politician. Her work in this role has prepared her to develop and implement policies that will make a real difference in the lives of New Zealanders.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Justice

Natalie Wihongi was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Justice in 2022. This is a significant achievement, as it makes her the first Mori woman to hold this position.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Justice is responsible for assisting the Minister of Justice in carrying out their duties. This includes developing and implementing policy, representing the Minister in Parliament, and answering questions from the media and the public.

Wihongi's appointment to this role is a reflection of her hard work and dedication to public service. She is a strong advocate for justice and equality, and she is committed to making a difference in the lives of New Zealanders.

Wihongi's appointment is also significant for Mori representation in government. It is a sign of progress that a Mori woman is now holding such a senior position in the justice system.

Wihongi's work as Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Justice is likely to have a significant impact on the lives of New Zealanders. She is a strong advocate for justice and equality, and she is committed to making a difference.

Justice Committee Member

Natalie Wihongi is a member of the Justice Committee, a parliamentary committee responsible for scrutinising legislation and policy relating to the justice system in New Zealand. Her role on this committee is significant because it allows her to play a direct role in shaping the laws and policies that affect the lives of New Zealanders.

As a member of the Justice Committee, Wihongi has been involved in a number of important inquiries, including the inquiry into the criminalisation of abortion and the inquiry into hate speech laws. She has also been a strong advocate for reform of the justice system, particularly in relation to the treatment of Mori and other minority groups.

Wihongi's work on the Justice Committee is important because it helps to ensure that the justice system is fair and equitable for all New Zealanders. She is a strong advocate for justice and equality, and she is committed to making a difference in the lives of all New Zealanders.

FAQs about Natalie Wihongi

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Natalie Wihongi, a New Zealand politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Waiariki since 2020.

Question 1: What is Natalie Wihongi's political affiliation?

Answer: Natalie Wihongi is a member of the Labour Party.

Question 2: What electorate does Natalie Wihongi represent?

Answer: Natalie Wihongi represents the Waiariki electorate.

Question 3: What are Natalie Wihongi's policy priorities?

Answer: Natalie Wihongi's policy priorities include improving education and healthcare for Mori, reducing crime and violence in Mori communities, protecting Mori land and resources, and promoting Mori culture and language.

Question 4: What is Natalie Wihongi's stance on justice reform?

Answer: Natalie Wihongi is a strong advocate for justice reform, particularly in relation to the treatment of Mori and other minority groups.

Question 5: What committees does Natalie Wihongi serve on?

Answer: Natalie Wihongi is a member of the Justice Committee.

Question 6: What is Natalie Wihongi's background?

Answer: Natalie Wihongi is a lawyer and policy advisor. She is the first Mori woman to represent Waiariki in Parliament and the first Mori woman to hold the position of Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Justice.

Summary: Natalie Wihongi is a rising star in the Labour Party. She is a strong advocate for Mori rights and social justice, and she is committed to making a difference in the lives of all New Zealanders.

Transition to the next article section: Natalie Wihongi's work as a politician is just one example of her commitment to public service. She is also a strong advocate for Mori rights and social justice outside of Parliament.

Conclusion

Natalie Wihongi is a rising star in New Zealand politics. She is a strong advocate for Mori rights and social justice, and she is committed to making a difference in the lives of all New Zealanders.

Wihongi's work as a politician is just one example of her commitment to public service. She is also a strong advocate for Mori rights and social justice outside of Parliament. She is a role model for Mori women and girls, and she is an inspiration to all who believe in the power of representation.