Luamanuvao Winnie Laban is currently Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment, Associate Minister of Trade, and Associate Minister for Economic Development. Winnie has been the Labour Member of Parliament for Mana since 2002. She was New Zealand's first Pacific Island woman member of Parliament. She is also New Zealand's first Pacific Island woman Minister of Pacific Island Affairs. A Member of Parliament since 1999, Winnie is currently a member of the Health and Commerce Select Committees. Winnie is a university graduate in Social Work (Victoria University) and Development Studies (Massey University). She was bestowed the Samoan chiefly title of Luamanuvao, from the village of Vaiala, Vaimauga, Samoa, in 1992. Before entering Parliament, Winnie worked in the public, private and voluntary sectors in New Zealand and overseas. wlaban@ministers.govt.nz

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News (29)

7:02PM
Making a difference for Pacific peoples on 1 October Labour-led government initiatives coming into effect today will make a real difference to Pacific peoples, Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban said. 201 views

10:29PM
Upping the ante for Pasifika educational achievement Education Minister Chris Carter and Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban launched the Pasifika Education Plan 2008-2012 today, stepping up the Labour-led government’s commitment to ensure more Pasifika students achieve their educational potential. 219 views

6:58PM
Tremendous contribution to Pacific remembered Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban will travel to Apia tomorrow to attend the funeral of the former Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Greg Urwin, who passed away at his home in Samoa over the weekend. 175 views

1:04AM
Pacific businesses encouraged to access online tool Pacific business people now have access to a new online tool which can help them assess and improve their performance, Pacific Island Affairs Minister and Associate Economic Development Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban says. 658 views

2:15AM
Pacific Forum Trade Ministers meeting a success Pacific Island Affairs Minister and Associate Trade Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban has returned from a meeting of Pacific Forum Trade Ministers and senior officials in Rarotonga saying the meeting was a success in advancing a number of key issues. 432 views

6:26PM
Pacific achievement at school increasing Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban has welcomed the release of school leaver data by Education Minister Chris Carter which shows that more than half of Pasifika students are achieving level 2 NCEA or above before they leave school. 224 views

11:37PM
Pasifika students lead decrease in school suspensions A Government initiative to reduce school suspensions is showing good results among Pasifika students, with a 17 per cent drop in their suspensions since 2006, Prime Minister Helen Clark, Associate Education Minister Parekura Horomia and Pacific Island Affairs Minister Winnie Laban said today. 242 views

12:11AM
New campus will benefit Pacific people Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban has welcomed the announcement of a new university campus for Counties Manukau, saying increased education and training opportunities will particularly benefit our Pacific communities. 1544 views

7:18PM
Inspirational Pacific leader will be greatly missed Elizabeth Peivi Alice Lee-Lo Smith or Aunty Liz as she was known fondly by many in our Pacific communities was an inspirational leader who will be greatly missed, Pacific Island Affairs Minister and Mana MP Luamanuvao Winnie Laban said today. 233 views

12:18AM
I-E-Ko-Ko encourages Cook Islands Maori in class Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban today launched I-E-Ko-Ko! An Introduction to Cook Islands Maori, saying this is an important resource for students to learn new skills and a language that reflects the richness and diversity of New Zealand's National Identity. 1225 views

3:13PM
Budget 2008 delivering for Pacific communities Budget 2008 is investing in a strong future for our Pacific communities, Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban said today. 498 views

5:42PM
Pacific contribution in New Zealand to be celebrated In response to the discussion paper released by Dr Greg Clydesdale of Massey University, Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban says the research is a selective and narrow interpretation of data on Pacific people in New Zealand, as Pacific people are making significant contributions to the economic, cultural and social life of New Zealand. 468 views

4:51PM
Ministerial Advisory Council Appointments Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban today announced the reappointment of nine members and the appointment of four new members to the Ministerial Advisory Council (MAC). 292 views

2:59PM
Pacific Business Trust Board Appointments A new Chair, Deputy Chair and member have been appointed to the Pacific Business Trust (PBT) Board, Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban said. 256 views

2:58PM
Skills Strategy of benefit to Pacific workforce Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban has welcomed the release of the New Zealand Skills Strategy discussion document, saying this will benefit Pacific workers. 218 views

10:17AM
Remembering our Pacific soldiers on ANZAC Day ANZAC Day is a day where New Zealand as a nation commemorates the courage and sacrifice of veterans of all conflicts, says Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban. 303 views

10:44PM
Pasifika graduates congratulated Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban tonight congratulated Pasifika students graduating at Massey University's Auckland Campus, telling them they are the future role models of our Pacific communities. 268 views

9:30PM
Delivering for Pacific communities on 1 April The Labour-led's government investment in businesses, families and communities means there is a lot for Pacific peoples to celebrate on 1 April, Pacific Islands Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban said today.  205 views

2:49PM
'Full House' for Pacific Trade Expo The fact that every available stand has been filled for the Pacific Trade Expo opening at Waitakere City’s Trusts Stadium this Wednesday at 9am bodes well for the growth of intra-Pacific trade, Pacific Island Affairs and Associate Trade Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban said today. 526 views

11:12AM
More Pasifika students in tertiary study and industry training There has been strong progress towards the goals of having more Pasifika students in tertiary education and industry training, according to new reports from the Ministry of Education released today. 282 views

3:18PM
New Zealand and Cooks Islands agreement welcomed Pacific Island Affairs Minister and Social Development and Employment Associate Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban has welcomed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and the Cook Islands Ministry of Internal Affairs and Social Services. 172 views

8:16PM
Pacific unemployment rate continues to fall The latest Household Labour Force Survey figures out yesterday are a strong endorsement of the Labour-led government's management of the economy, and a great result for Pacific peoples, said Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban. 227 views

11:24AM
Laban encourages Pacific women to have regular mammograms Luamanuvao Winnie Laban advised today that following a regular mammogram late last year, she was diagnosed with treatable breast cancer. 206 views

5:22PM
Expo encourages Pacific economic development Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban commends an initiative of Tongan church congregations to promote and enhance economic development pathways and education opportunities for Pacific youth, Vahefonua Tonga 'o Aotearoa (VTOA) Education and Training Expo 2008. 341 views

9:04PM
Minister visits RSE workers in Marlborough region The RSE policy is the government's response to the labour crisis in the horticulture and viticulture industries. 376 views

4:17PM
National Pacific Gambling Services Celebration Gambling away money that our families need - money that could be spent on health and education, that could be invested in our children to give them the step up they need to get ahead, is not acceptable. 300 views

3:40PM
Opening and Dedication of Akoteu Nasaleti pre-school The Labour-led government understands the value of early childhood education - we know that it can make a real difference to Pasifika children, families and our communities. 1547 views

9:15PM
Victoria University Pacific Students Graduation Education is a key factor in achieving economic and social outcomes for Pacific communities and improving Pacific peoples' contribution to the New Zealand economy. 553 views

10:48AM
PIC Mangere Church Book Launch and 35 Year Anniversary We are here today to celebrate the important and vital contribution of Mangere Pacific Islanders Presbyterian Church in creating strong communities - which are an essential part of the future of New Zealand. 1050 views