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 |
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.
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]
He has been senior biosecurity adviser at the Ministry for Primary Industries, and the president of the 62,000-strong Public Service Association. [5]
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]
Tana has six children with his wife Toni. [5]