Rana Waitai
Rana Donald Waitai was a New Zealand politician and lawyer. He was a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives representing Te Puku o Te Whenua, for the New Zealand First Party and Mauri Pacific Party from 1996 to 1999. He later served as a member of the Wanganui District Council.
Early years
His father was Te Rangi Koroingo Te Oreore Waitai born and died in Lower Hutt. His mother was Mavis Lillian Waitai born in Nelson and died in Lower Hutt.Rana Waitai was the partner of Te Aroha Ann Ruru Stanton from 1966 to 1995 and they had four daughters.
Career
Following his secondary schooling at Wanganui Technical College,, Waitai was a freezing worker at Wanganui in 1961, a bushman in 1961 at Karioi and also a factory worker. He later became a trainee probation officer at Wellington and in 1965 joined the New Zealand Police. In 1979 Waitai was the Duty Inspector at Police National Headquarters when Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed on Erebus. He rang Chief Superintendent Brian Davies who was at home in the evening: "We seem to have a small problem.... We have lost a DC-10 sir." He retired from the Police at the rank of Superintendent after 31 years when he was elected to Parliament.After leaving Parliament Waitai trained as a lawyer and worked as a barrister and solicitor in Whanganui.
Political career
Waitai was involved in the New Zealand National Party between 1973 and 1992, quitting after a dispute with then Prime Minister, Jim Bolger. He rejoined the National Party in 2000.In 1992 [Wellington City mayoral election|1992] he stood for Mayor of Wellington, despite living in Gisborne. He campaigned on improving public safety, scaling back sewage infrastructure to save on costs, promoting inner city living and giving jobs to unemployed people to convert unused office space into accommodation. He finished seventh out of eleven candidates.