Laila Harré
Laila Jane Harré (born 8 January 1966) is a New Zealand politician and trade unionist. Joining the Labour Party at 15, she left in 1989 to join the left-wing splinter party NewLabour, later the Alliance. She was elected to the New Zealand Parliament in 1996 and re-elected in 1999. In her second term, she served as Minister for Women in the Fifth Labour Government, overseeing the introduction of paid parental leave. After long-time leader Jim Anderton split from the Alliance in 2002, Harré replaced him as leader. With the party's fortunes in steep decline, it failed to win any seats in that year's election.
The Honourable Laila Harré | |
|---|---|
Harré in 2018 | |
| Leader of the Internet Party | |
| In office 29 May 2014 – December 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Suzie Dawson |
| Leader of the Alliance | |
| In office 20 April 2002 – 30 November 2003 | |
| Deputy | Willie Jackson |
| Preceded by | Jim Anderton |
| Succeeded by | Matt McCarten |
| Minister for Women | |
| In office 10 December 1999 – 15 August 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Georgina te Heuheu |
| Succeeded by | Ruth Dyson |
| Minister for Statistics | |
| In office 13 November 2000 – 15 August 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Swain |
| Succeeded by | John Tamihere |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament | |
| In office 12 December 1996 – 11 June 2002 | |
| Constituency | Party list |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 January 1966 |
| Political party | Labour (1982–1989; 2016–) |
| Other political affiliations | NewLabour Party (1989–1991) Alliance (1991–2003) Green Party (2012–2014) Internet Party (2014) Independent (2003–2012), (2014–2016) |
| Spouse | Barry Gribben |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Auckland |
Harré then worked as a trade unionist for the next decade, including as secretary of the National Distribution Union. She returned to politics as issues director for the Green Party in 2012, but left in 2014. She was then drafted as leader of Kim Dotcom's Internet Party, in alliance with the Mana Movement, but resigned after the party failed to win any seats in the 2014 election. She rejoined the Labour Party in 2016, and has remained active as a commentator on politics and current affairs.