11 Facts About Mita Ririnui

Mita Michael Ririnui is a former New Zealand politician and a member of the Labour Party.

Mita Ririnui was a member of parliament from 1999 to 2011.

Mita Ririnui obtained his education from Tauranga Boys' College, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, University of Waikato and Massey University.

Mita Ririnui was originally elected to Parliament as the MP for the Maori electorate of Waiariki, winning the 1999 election from Tuariki Delamere.

At the beginning of his second term as an MP, Mita Ririnui was appointed a Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the ministers responsible for Conservation, Corrections and Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations; in July 2004, his Conservation portfolio was replaced with Health.

In December 2004 Mita Ririnui instead became a Minister outside Cabinet, as a Minister of State with Associate Ministerial roles in the Corrections, Health, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, and Forestry portfolios, and held these roles until the defeat of the Labour government in 2008.

Labour was defeated in the 2008 general election, meaning that Mita Ririnui was unable to retain his ministerial positions.

Mita Ririnui was unsuccessful at regaining Waiariki, but his list placing of 23 ensured his return to Parliament on the Labour list.

Mita Ririnui reimbursed Ministerial Services at the time for the purchases.

Mita Ririnui's demotion included the loss of the shadow portfolio of Forestry.

In February 2011, Mita Ririnui announced that he would retire at the 2011 election.