Darleen Tana

Darleen Sheree Tana Hoff-Neilsen is a New Zealand environmental scientist and politician, representing the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand as a Member of Parliament since the 2023 New Zealand general election.[1]

Darleen Tana
MP
Tana in 2023
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Green party list
Assumed office
2023
Personal details
BornNorthland, New Zealand
Political partyGreen Party of Aotearoa New Zealand

Early life

Tana was born in Northland.[2][3] Tana is of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Nga Rauru and Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa descent.[4] She grew up with Māori language around her in a marae setting.[5][6] Some of her experiences growing up in Northland include gathering shellfish at the beach and Waitangi Day celebrations.[5]

In her education Tana went to Bay of Islands College in Kawakawa and then to Whangārei High School (in Whangārei).[5]

She is an environmental scientist, with a Bachelor of Chemical Technology from Massey University.[4] One of her early environmental scientist jobs was at Horizons Regional Council.[5]

Tana received a Rotary Foundation scholarship to study abroad, where she earned an MBA from Solvay International Business School.[4] Tana worked in senior roles as a business analyst in telecommunications in Brussels before returning to New Zealand in 2013. While working overseas Tana worked on projects in China and Singapore.[3][4][5] Tana speaks Flemish and French.[5]

Tana and her husband founded e-mobility firm Bikes and Beyond.[3][4] The business started in 2013 initially on Waiheke Island and has expanded to other locations.[5] On Waiheke Tana has also been involved in the Kelp Gardeners Project in the role of Kaiārahi as part of the Waiheke Marine Project. The Kelp Gardeners Project takes an Indigenous informed approach to marine care.[7]

Political career
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2023–present 54th List 13 Green

In the 2020 general election she stood in the Northland electorate, where she came fourth with 1,749 votes.[2][8]

Tana contested Tāmaki Makaurau in the 2023 election. She was thirteenth on the national list.[2] Her campaign was supported by Marama Davidson, the co-leader of the Green Party who had previously contested the electorate.[9] While third place in her electorate, Tana was elected as a list member for the Greens based on party vote.[10][11]

Tana seeks to ensure that the government "gets real on climate action, regenerates our taiao (environment), and removes the shackles of a system that is designed to keep us poor, without means, or on a fast track to jail".[9] She has spoken in support of the party's Hoki Whenua Mai policy, which seeks to return historic land to Maori.[12]

References
  1. "Meet our Candidate Darleen Tana Hoff-Nielsen". Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  2. Harawira, Tumamao (30 August 2023). "Darleen Tana to contest Tāmaki Makaurau for the Greens". Te Ao News.
  3. "Green Party's Northland electorate candidate is Darleen Tana Hoff-Nielsen". Northern Advocate. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  4. Ralfini, Aimée (30 April 2023). "Darleen Tana". Verve Magazine.
  5. Ling, Jenny (29 September 2020). "Life's journey coming full circle". The Northern Advocate.
  6. "Greens co-leader Marama Davidson pulls out of electorate race". RNZ. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  7. "Kōura". WMP phase two. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  8. "Northland – Official Result". Electoral Commission. 2020.
  9. "Greens co-leader Marama Davidson pulls out of electorate race". Radio New Zealand. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  10. Ryan, Aaron (14 October 2023). "Peeni Henare looks to keep Tāmaki Makaurau though votes pending". Te Ao News. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  11. Smith, Sam (17 October 2023). "Who are the 14 new list MPs, based on the election night count?". Stuff. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  12. "Hoki Whenua Mai strategy good for environment says Greens". Waatea News. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
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