NZ's first Tokelauan MP Kris Faafoi farewells Parliament

by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

Delivering an emotional valedictory speech on Thursday, he thanked mentors, parliamentary colleagues and his kāiga.

Kris Faafoi also poked fun at fellow Pasifika in the Labour Party caucus.

“To my Pacific caucus colleagues, fakafetai lahi lele,” he said.

“Our Pacific caucus shows the connection that Labour has to our Pacific community.”

“I'm not sure when we'll get another Tokelauan, but we will, and I'm sure Anahila [Kanongata’a-Suisuiki] will be there to take a selfie.”

In 2010, Faafoi took over the reins of the Mana electorate from Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban.

He thanked the “amazing and talented” current MP for Mana, Barbara Edmonds.

“[She] has a long future in that seat, and I am sure she will make a massive contribution to the country during her tenure,” he said.

The highlight of his ministerial career was accompanying Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on a visit to Tokelau, he said.

“It meant so much to the people on the islands and here at home.”

“Prime Minister, the experience of going back to the place my mother and father were born and raised meant so much, and to do it accompanying you as our PM was next level.”

Faafoi’s resignation was confirmed by Ardern last week in a round of changes made to her Cabinet.

Once touted as a rising star in Government, the outgoing Immigration, Justice and Broadcasting Minister has been under intense scrutiny for some months.

After the 2020 election, Faafoi was asked by Ardern to stay in Parliament after wanting to leave then.

All three of his portfolios are currently under significant reform, most notably broadcasting - in which the merger of state broadcasters RNZ and TVNZ is expected to take effect from early next year.

The announcement of his departure was met with acknowledgement from both sides of the House.

Before entering Parliament, he was a political journalist and press secretary for then-Labour leader Phil Goff.

“When preparing for a media interview, Phil, without fail, would ask, "Yeah—now, what I really need is everything on that topic,” he said.

“On one occasion, The Herald on Sunday wanted to do a colour piece on Phil.”

“True to form, the words came: ‘Yeah—now, what I need is everything on …’, and I cheekily fired back ‘Phil Goff?’”

Faafoi said, “There was a moment of silence, some awkwardness, and, as everyone who knows Phil, raucous laughter.”

He reminisced on a bet made with Ardern at the 2012 Pasifika Festival.

“I said I'd donate $500 to your campaign if [Ardern] got up and danced on stage with a group,” he said.

“I never thought you'd do it, and you did.”

“Prime Minister, I know it's been 10 years, but earlier this week I donated $500 to the Mt Albert Labour electorate committee.”

Kris Faafoi plans to spend more time with his family, in particular his youngest son Theo, who he paid tribute to on Thursday.

“School is cool, and so are you,” he said.

“I have threatened that I will come to school every day with you as my new job, but I promise I won't do that.”

–

Cover photo: Robert Kitchin/Stuff

–

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air