Mike Tana
Michael Darren Tana is a New Zealand politician and trade union leader. He was mayor of Porirua from 2016 to 2019.
Early life
Tana is from Matakohe, near Ruawai in the Northland region. His iwi are Ngāti Whātua and Ngāpuhi.He has an agricultural science degree from Massey University.
Career
He has been senior biosecurity adviser at the Ministry for Primary Industries, and the president of the 62,000-strong Public Service Association.Career in politics
He announced in August 2016 that he would be running for Mayor of Porirua and he ran a poorly-funded campaign. Tana won the 2016 mayoral election, receiving 5,887 votes. He was the first Māori mayor of Porirua, and one of only a small number of Māori mayors in New Zealand history.Tana grew up experiencing racism, and when he was elected Mayor he joined Porirua City up to an anti-racism campaign.
Tana ran for Mayor again in the 2019 local elections but failed to win re-election, instead coming in 2nd place behind Anita Baker.