Marama Davidson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Marama Davidson MP
Davidson in 2023
1st Minister for the Prevention of Family and ... Violence
In office 6 November 2020 – 27 November 2023
Prime Minister	Jacinda Ardern Chris Hipkins
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Karen Chhour
3rd Co-leader of the Green Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 8 April 2018 Co-leader with James Shaw, then Chlöe Swarbrick
Preceded by	Metiria Turei
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Green party list
Incumbent
Assumed office 4 November 2015
Preceded by	Russel Norman
Personal details
Born	Marama Mere-Ana Paratene (1973-12-29) 29 December 1973 (age 51) Auckland, New Zealand
Political party	Green
Spouse	Paul Davidson
Relations	Rawiri Paratene (father)
Children	6
Website	Green Party profile

Marama Davidson (born 29 December 1973) is a New Zealand politician. She became a Member of Parliament (MP) in 2015. She represents the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, and since 2018, she has been one of its co-leaders.

In October 2020, the Green Party agreed to work with the Labour-led government. Marama Davidson became a Minister, focusing on preventing family violence. She also helped with housing issues, especially for people experiencing homelessness.

Her Early Life and Education

Marama Davidson was born in Auckland, New Zealand. Her family roots are with the Ngāti Porou, Te Rarawa, and Ngāpuhi Māori tribes. Her father is the well-known actor Rawiri Paratene. Both her parents worked hard in the 1970s to promote the Māori language.

As a child, Marama's family moved around a lot. She started school in Wellington, then lived in Dunedin and Christchurch. When she was nine, her family moved to Whirinaki in the Hokianga area, where she grew up. She studied at university in Hamilton and finished her degree in Auckland. She earned a Bachelor of Arts. She also has a special diploma in International Diplomacy for Indigenous Studies.

Her Work Before Politics

Before becoming an MP, Marama Davidson worked for the Human Rights Commission from 2003 to 2012. This group helps protect people's rights in New Zealand. She also worked part-time for Breastfeeding New Zealand. She was part of a group that looked into child abuse and family violence. She also helped start a group called Te Wharepora Hou Māori Women's Collective.

Her Journey in Politics

Marama Davidson is known for caring about the environment and human rights. In 2013, she ran for the Green Party in a special election and came in fourth place.

In the 2014 general election, she ran in the Tāmaki Makaurau area. She was also placed 15th on the Green Party's list of candidates. She became an MP in 2015 when another Green MP, Russel Norman, left Parliament.

In the 2017 election, Marama Davidson was ranked second on the Green Party's list. The Green Party won enough votes for her to stay as a Member of Parliament.

Becoming a Co-leader

Marama Davidson at her marae, Matai Ara Nui Marae in Whirinaki, after becoming co-leader in 2018.

After Metiria Turei stepped down as co-leader of the Green Party in 2017, Marama Davidson decided to run for the position. On 8 April 2018, she won the election to become the female co-leader, beating another MP, Julie Anne Genter. After becoming co-leader, Marama said the Greens would push the government to make positive changes, like getting rid of fees for renting homes.

In March 2020, Marama Davidson joined a special committee. This committee looked at how the government was handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the 2020 general election, Marama Davidson was re-elected to Parliament. She also ran in the Tāmaki Makaurau area but came in third. The Green Party had a good election, getting 7.9% of the votes.

After the election, the Green Party and the Labour Party made an agreement. On 31 October 2020, Marama Davidson was named the Minister for the Prevention of Family and ... Violence. She also became an Associate Minister of Housing, focusing on helping people who are homeless.

In June 2023, Marama Davidson was asked to leave the House of Representatives during a debate. This happened after she said that some MPs were promoting racism. She later explained that she believed it was important to speak up against unfair ideas.

After the 2023 Election

The Green Party did very well in the 2023 New Zealand general election. They increased their number of MPs from nine to fifteen, which was their best election result ever. Marama Davidson was re-elected. However, the election results meant that the Green Party would not be part of the new government.

After the election, Marama Davidson said the Green Party would continue to fight for important causes. These include ending poverty, honoring the Treaty of Waitangi, protecting nature, and building a future that can handle climate change for future generations.

In late 2023, Marama Davidson took on new roles for the Green Party. She became their spokesperson for conservation, reducing child poverty, preventing family violence, and social investment. On 5 December 2023, she was allowed to keep the special title The Honourable. This was to recognize her time as a member of the government's Executive Council.

Her Views on Important Issues

International Relations

In October 2016, Marama Davidson joined a group called the Women's Boat to Gaza. This group wanted to show the world how people in the Gaza Strip were being affected by a blockade. Their ship was stopped by the Israeli Navy. The Green Party asked for Marama and the other activists to be released.

In May 2021, she and 16 other New Zealand MPs wore keffiyeh scarves. This was to mark World Keffiyeh Day and show support for the Palestinian people.

Her Family Life

Marama Davidson is married to Paul Davidson. They have six children together. Their youngest child was born in 2008. Before becoming a full-time politician, Marama was also a qualified aerobics instructor. She used to teach classes part-time to help support her family and her studies at university.

In June 2024, Marama Davidson shared that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She announced that she would have surgery to treat it.