"Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland has the potential to be one of the most productive and vibrant cities in the world. I’m committed to making sure that while we grow, we build sustainable infrastructure, inclusive communities and a city that makes us better connected."

• Take Shanan's Northcote residents' survey
• Take Shanan's Rainbow Issues 2025 survey

Before he was elected to Parliament in 2020, Shanan spent 15 years in education leadership and management at tertiary institutions improving access to higher learning for many young people, Māori and Pasifika.

He grew up in Hawke’s Bay and has whakapapa to Iwi including Ngāti Whitikaupeka, Rongowhakaata and Ngāti Kahungunu.

As Labour’s spokesperson for Auckland Issues, Shanan is committed to working alongside the community to set the city up for the future. He's focused on ensuring that infrastructure is resilient, that public services - like hospitals and schools - are world-class, transport connections meet the needs of a growing city, and that there’s warm, dry housing for everyone.

Shanan believes that everyone deserves to be able to live freely, just as they are. In his role as Labour’s spokesperson for Rainbow Issues, he is working hard to ensure the rights and dignity of the LGBTQIA+ and takatāpui are upheld in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Latest news and updates:

• Rainbow youth neglected in mental health funding – Aotearoa’s young rainbow people are some of our most vulnerable and should be a priority group for the Minister of Mental Health, but he is failing in his role.
  
  
• Minister for Auckland asleep at the wheel – Prescription fees, higher rates, expensive public transport, additional road tolls and increases to vehicle registration are just some of the charges set to make things harder for those struggling in Tāmaki Makaurau.
  
  
• Pride in schools more important than ever – Schools Pride Week in New Zealand is an important calendar event largely run by rainbow rangatahi to advocate for safer, more inclusive school environments.