Labour MP Winnie Laban has announced she is leaving Parliament to take up a role at Victoria University, meaning there will be a by-election in her Mana seat this year.Ms Laban said she would leave Parliament to take up the role of assistant vice-chancell
Labour MP Winnie Laban has announced she is leaving Parliament to take up a role at Victoria University, meaning there will be a by-election in her Mana seat this year.
Ms Laban said she would leave Parliament to take up the role of assistant vice-chancellor Pasifika at Victoria University.
She has held the Mana seat since 2002 after entering Parliament in 1999, and is a former minister of Pacific island affairs and the community and voluntary sector.
Labour leader Phil Goff said Ms Laban had made a significant contribution to Pasifika and there was a new opportunity for her as a Labour member to continue to work to raise Pasifika aspirations and achievements.
"We are delighted she has been appointed to the position and she remains a strong supporter of the Labour Party."
He said the party would look to find a strong candidate for Mana to "campaign on both local issues and issues that matter to all Kiwis".
"We wish Winnie well for her exciting new career and we look forward to the campaign in Mana."
There are two other uncertainties among Labour's electorate holders, including Chris Carter, who recently got himself suspended from the party caucus, and George Hawkins, who is targeting an Auckland super-city council seat.
