Jenny Salesa
Jennifer Teresia Salesa (née Latu) is a New Zealand politician and member of the Labour Party has served as Member of Parliament for Manukau East since 2014. She has served as Cabinet Minister for the Sixth Labour Government as Minister for Building and Construction, Minister of Customs and Minister for Ethnic Communities since 2017.
Jenny Salesa MP | |
---|---|
Salesa in 2017 | |
7th Minister for Building and Construction | |
Assumed office 26 October 2017 | |
Prime Minister | Jacinda Ardern |
Preceded by | Nick Smith |
Minister for Ethnic Communities | |
Assumed office 26 October 2017 | |
Prime Minister | Jacinda Ardern |
Preceded by | Judith Collins |
65th Minister of Customs | |
Assumed office 27 June 2019 | |
Prime Minister | Jacinda Ardern |
Preceded by | Kris Faafoi |
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Manukau East | |
Assumed office 20 September 2014 | |
Preceded by | Ross Robertson |
Majority | 13,254 |
Personal details | |
Born | Tonga |
Political party | Labour |
Spouse(s) | Damon Salesa |
Alma mater | University of Auckland |
Profession | Public servant |
Biography
Early life and career
She is of Tongan heritage and is married to university academic Damon Salesa.[1] Prior to entering Parliament Salesa had worked in the public sector, and overseas in the United States.[2]
Political career
New Zealand Parliament | ||||
Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party |
2014–2017 | 51st | Manukau East | 31 | Labour |
2017–present | 52nd | Manukau East | 19 | Labour |
Salesa replaced long serving MP Ross Robertson in the Manukau East seat when he retired at the 2014 election. She was successful in gaining the Labour party nomination for the seat, ahead of Auckland Councillor Efeso Collins.[3][4] Salesa won the seat with 68.0% of the vote and a large majority amounting to 50.9%.[5]
In mid-October 2017, Salesa was elected as a Cabinet Minister by the Labour Party caucus following Labour's formation of a government with New Zealand First and the Greens.[6] She was appointed Minister for Building and Construction and Minister of Ethnic Communities, and Associate Minister of Education, Health, and Housing and Urban Development.[7]
In late June 2019, Salesa was made Minister of Customs following a cabinet reshuffle, replacing Kris Faafoi who assumed the portfolio of Associate Minister for public housing.[8][9]
References
- "Jenny Salesa to stand for Labour in Manukau East". Pacific Guardians. 24 February 2014. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- "Jenny Salesa named as Labour candidate for the Manukau East electorate". newstalkzb.co.nz. 22 February 2014. Archived from the original on 21 September 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
- "Labour to select candidate for Manukau East – Scoop News".
- Roberts, Sarah (28 February 2014). "Labour picks Manukau East candidate" – via Stuff.co.nz.
- "Official Count Results – Manukau East (2014)". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- "Who's in? Who's out?". Radio NZ. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- "Ministerial List". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- "Winners and losers - PM reveals first substantive Cabinet reshuffle". Radio New Zealand. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- Small, Zane (27 June 2019). "Jacinda Ardern's Cabinet reshuffle: Phil Twyford's Housing portfolio split into three". Newshub. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
New Zealand Parliament | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Ross Robertson |
Member of Parliament for Manukau East 2014–present |
Incumbent |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by Nick Smith |
Minister for Building and Construction 2017-present |
Incumbent |
Preceded by Judith Collins |
Minister for Ethnic Communities 2017-present | |
Preceded by Kris Faafoi |
Minister of Customs 2019–present |