New Zealand's first Pacific woman MP to get honorary doctorate

Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban is set to receive an honorary Doctor of Literature from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in recognition of her lifelong commitment to uplifting Pacific communities.

She made history in 1999 as Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Pacific Island woman elected to Parliament.

Her decade-long tenure as Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika) at the Victoria University saw Pasifika enrolments grow from 4.7 percent in 2010 to over 6.6 percent in 2024.

“Education has always been a passion of mine because it's very consistent with my commitment to social justice,” Luamanuvao says.

“I feel if you have an education, you have more choice, and more doors open to you and secondly, you research, you read—you're an informed citizen.”

Born and raised in Wainuiomata to Sāmoan parents who migrated to New Zealand in 1954, Luamanuvao credits her upbringing in a service-minded ‘aiga for shaping her political and community-driven ethos.

After leaving high school, she worked as a family therapist, social worker and a probation officer.

The closure of the Kenson Industries car part factory in her hometown, where many Pacific workers were left jobless and unsupported, motivated her to run for Parliament.

She served as a Member of Parliament for the Wellington electorate of Mana and was the former Minister for the then Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, now Ministry for Pacific Peoples.

Laban's parents were public servants in Sāmoa at the time they emigrated in 1954 to take up government positions in Wellington, New Zealand and also to ensure that any children they had gained New Zealand citizenship. Photo/Stuff NZ

One of her proudest achievements was helping to repeal the Employment Contracts Act and introduce the Employment Relations Act, embedding good faith into workplace law.

At Te Herenga Waka, Luamanuvao led initiatives such as the Pasifika Roadshow, taking the university experience into Pacific communities, and helping to fund scholarships and pathways for Pacific student success.

Chancellor Allan Judge says Luamanuvao’s contributions to the University, and to all of New Zealand, are immense.

“During her impressive career she has consistently worked to uplift and celebrate Pacific peoples, and we are pleased to award her this honorary doctorate in recognition of everything she has achieved,” Judge says.

Laban delivers keynote address after receiving honourary Doctorate from the NAtional University of Sāmoa in 2023. Photo/Talamua Online News

Luamanuvao has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2020 Women of Influence Awards, her Damehood in 2018, and an honorary doctorate from the National University of Sāmoa in 2023.

Last year, she announced her departure from her role at Victoria Unviersity.

“It’s time for me to move on, and time to bring in a new Pacific leader. There are other people out there who can be leaders, and it's beautifully set up in a way that somebody new and fresh can come in and do what needs to be done," she says.

The honorary Doctor of Literature from Victoria University will be awarded to Luamanuvao at the second graduation ceremony next Tuesday.

Watch Laban deliver her valedictory speech