Winnie Laban

The Honourable Luamanuvao Winnie Laban QSO
Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
Minister of Pacific Island Affairs
In office 5 November 2007 – 19 November 2008
Prime Minister	Helen Clark
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Mana
In office 2002 – 15 October 2010
Preceded by	Graham Kelly
Succeeded by	Kris Faafoi
Majority	6,155 (2008)
Personal details
Born	1955 Wellington
Nationality	New Zealand
Political party	Labour

Luamanuvao Winifred "Winnie" Alexandra Laban QSO (born 1955) is a former New Zealand politician. She was the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Mana electorate, representing the Labour Party. She was the Labour Party's spokesperson for Pacific Island Affairs and spokesperson for Interfaith Dialogue.

Laban was born in Wellington to Samoan parents, and was educated at Erskine College, and Wellington Girls' College from 1969 to 1971. Before entering politics she was a family therapist and community development worker, focusing particularly on the Pacific Island community of New Zealand.

Laban graduated with a degree in Social Work from the Victoria University of Wellington and later in Development Studies from Massey University. In 1992 she was bestowed the Samoan matai chiefly title Luamanuvao from the village of Vaiala, Vaimauga, in recognition of her work.

Laban was first elected to Parliament in the 1999 election as a list MP, becoming New Zealand's first Pacific Island woman MP. In the 2002 election she successfully contested the Mana electorate, formerly held by Labour MP Graham Kelly. In 2005 she was re-elected by a majority of 6,734 votes She was Minister of Pacific Island Affairs (5 November 2007 – 19 November 2008). Labour was defeated in the 2008 election, depriving Laban of her ministerial role, but Laban retained her electorate seat and most of her majority.