Mita Ririnui
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The Honourable Mita Ririnui MP |
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| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Labour party list |
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In office 2005 – 2011 |
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| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Waiariki |
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In office 1999 – 2005 |
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| Succeeded by | Te Ururoa Flavell |
| Majority | 6,717 (44.44%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Tauranga, New Zealand |
| Political party | Labour |
| Children | 7 |
| Residence | Tauranga |
| Religion | Rātana |
Mita Michael Ririnui was a New Zealand politician and a member of the Labour Party. He was a member of parliament from 1999 to 2011.
Ririnui was born in Tauranga. He obtained his education from Tauranga Boys' College, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, University of Waikato and Massey University. Before entering politics, Ririnui worked for a number of notable Maori community organisations including Te Puni Kōkiri, and he is a registered minister of the Rātana church.
Ririnui was originally elected to Parliament as the MP for the Māori electorate of Waiariki, winning the 1999 elections from Tuariki Delamere. However, in the 2005 election, he lost his electorate seat to Te Ururoa Flavell of the Māori Party and remained in Parliament as a list MP.
Ririnui became a Minister outside Cabinet in 1999, having Associate Ministerial roles in the Corrections, Health, and Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, and Forestry portfolios. He also chaired the Labour Party's internal Maori Caucus.
Labour was defeated in the 2008 general election, meaning that Ririnui was unable to retain his ministerial positions. He was unsuccessful at regaining Waiariki, but his list placing of 23 ensured his return to Parliament on the Labour list.
On 14 June 2010, 4 days after the release of ministerial credit card records, Ririnui along with two other MPs Chris Carter MP (Lab - Te Atatu) and Shane Jones MP (Lab - List) were demoted by Opposition Leader Phil Goff MP (Lab - Mt. Roskill) for misuse of such credit cards. In the case of Ririnui, he was accused of purchasing items such as golf clubs and a bike which violate the rules regarding the usage of ministerial credit cards. Ririnui reimbursed Ministerial Services at the time for the purchases. Ririnui's demotion includes the loss of the shadow portfolio of Forestry and the relocation of his seat to the backbenchers out of public view.
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