Kris Faafoi

{{Infobox officeholder

|honorific-prefix = The Honourable

|name = Kris Faafoi

|honorific-suffix =

|image = Hon Kris Faafoi.jpg

|caption = Faafoi in 2020

| order = 50th Minister of Justice

| term_start = 6 November 2020

| term_end = 14 June 2022

| primeminister = Jacinda Ardern

| predecessor = Andrew Little

| successor = Kiri Allan

| order1 = 26th Minister for Broadcasting and Media

| term_start1 = 7 September 2018

| term_end1 = 14 June 2022

| primeminister1 = Jacinda Ardern

| predecessor1 = Clare Curran

| successor1 = Willie Jackson

| office2 = 57th Minister of Immigration

| term_start2 = 22 July 2020

| term_end2 = 14 June 2022

| primeminister2 = Jacinda Ardern

| predecessor2 = Iain Lees-Galloway

| successor2 = Michael Wood

| order3 = 13th Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

| term_start3 = 26 October 2017

| term_end3 = 6 November 2020

| primeminister3 = Jacinda Ardern

| predecessor3 = Jacqui Dean

| successor3 = David Clark

| order4 = Minister for Government Digital Services

| term_start4 = 27 June 2019

| term_end4 = 6 November 2020

| primeminister4 = Jacinda Ardern

| predecessor4 = Megan Woods

| successor4 = David Clark {{small|(as Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications)}}

| order5 = 25th Minister of Civil Defence

| term_start5 = 26 October 2017

| term_end5 = 27 June 2019

| primeminister5 = Jacinda Ardern

| predecessor5 = Nathan Guy

| successor5 = Peeni Henare

| order6 = 64th Minister of Customs

| term_start6 = 20 September 2018

| term_end6 = 27 June 2019

| primeminister6 = Jacinda Ardern

| predecessor6 = Meka Whaitiri

| successor6 = Jenny Salesa

| constituency_MP7 = Labour party list

| parliament7 = New Zealand

| term_start7 = 17 October 2020

| term_end7 = 23 July 2022

| successor7 = Dan Rosewarne{{refn|group=n|Normally, list MPs do not have individual predecessors or successors, but Faafoi resigned during a sitting parliament and therefore was succeeded by Rosewarne.}}

| constituency_MP8 = {{NZ electorate link|Mana}}

| parliament8 = New Zealand

| term_start8 = 20 November 2010

| term_end8 = 17 October 2020

| predecessor8 = Winnie Laban

| successor8 = Barbara Edmonds

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1976|6|23}}

|birth_place =

|death_date =

|death_place =

|restingplace =

|restingplacecoordinates =

|birthname =

|nationality = New Zealand

|party = Labour

|otherparty =

|spouse = Mae Puller (married 16/08/24)

|partner =

|relations =

|children = 3

|residence =

|alma_mater =

|occupation =

|profession = Journalist

|cabinet =

|committees =

|portfolio =

|website = {{URL|https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/hon-kris-faafoi|beehive.govt.nz}}

}}

Kristopher John Faafoi (born 23 June 1976) is a former New Zealand television journalist and Labour Party politician. He was the Member of Parliament for the Mana electorate from 2010 until 2020, when he became a list MP. Faafoi held a number of ministerial portfolios in the Sixth Labour Government from 2017, including Minister of Justice, Minister of Broadcasting and Media, and Minister of Immigration. He retired from politics in June 2022.

Early life

Faafoi's parents originate from the Tokelau atoll of Fakaofo. He grew up in Christchurch.

{{Cite web

|url= https://e-tangata.co.nz/korero/kris-faafoi-a-minister-on-the-rise/

|title= Kris Faafoi — a minister on the rise

|last= Husband|first= Dale

|date= 7 October 2018|website= E-Tangata

|language= en-NZ

|access-date= 10 December 2018

}}

His father was sent to New Zealand to study at secondary school, and later became a primary-school teacher. His mother came to New Zealand as part of a repatriation scheme, and later worked in a factory. Faafoi has stated that he did not have a typical Tokelau upbringing and does not speak fluent Tokelauan. In 1994 he was a member of the New Zealand Youth Parliament, selected to represent Sydenham MP Jim Anderton.{{cite web |url=https://fyi.org.nz/request/17674/response/69972/attach/3/NZ%20Youth%20Parliament%20Hansard%2019%20September%201994.pdf |title=NZ Youth Parliament Hansard |date=19 September 1994 |website=fyi.org.nz}}

Professional career

Faafoi trained as a journalist and is a graduate of the New Zealand Broadcasting School at CPIT (now Ara Institute of Canterbury).{{Cite web|title=Kris Faafoi – MP and journalist|url=https://nzbs.com/article/kris-faafoi|access-date=12 April 2021|website=New Zealand Broadcasting School}} He worked for TVNZ and the BBC as a reporter and as a political commentator.{{cite web|url=http://www.labour.org.nz/krisfaafoi|title=Hon Kris Faafoi|publisher=Labour Party|access-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126024934/http://www.labour.org.nz/krisfaafoi|archive-date=26 January 2022}}{{cite news|title=Labour picks former journalist for Mana seat |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/labour-picks-former-journalist-mana-seat-3785060 |access-date=19 November 2010|author=New Zealand Press Association|author-link=New Zealand Press Association|publisher=Television New Zealand|date=18 September 2010 }} He joined Labour Party leader Phil Goff's office after the 2008 general election, serving as chief press secretary. He was also chair of the party's Rongotai Pacific branch.{{cite news |title=Candidate is Kris Faafoi |url=http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=182579 |access-date=19 November 2010 |work=Newstalk ZB |date=18 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617082421/http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=182579 |archive-date=17 June 2011}}

Political career

{{NZ parlbox

|party=New Zealand Labour Party

|term=49th

|start=2010

|end=2011

|electorate=Mana

}}

{{NZ parlbox

|party=New Zealand Labour Party

|term=50th

|start={{NZ election link year|2011}}

|end=2014

|electorate=Mana

|list=41

}}

{{NZ parlbox

|party=New Zealand Labour Party

|term=51st

|start={{NZ election link year|2014}}

|end=2017

|electorate=Mana

|list=none

}}

{{NZ parlbox

|party=New Zealand Labour Party

|term=52nd

|start={{NZ election link year|2017}}

|end=2020

|electorate=Mana

|list=20

}}

{{NZ parlbox

|party=New Zealand Labour Party

|term=53rd

|start={{NZ election link year|2020}}

|end=2022

|electorate=List

|list=15

}}

=Fifth National Government (2010–2017)=

After the resignation of Mana MP Luamanuvao Winnie Laban on 10 August 2010,{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4008601/By-election-as-Labours-Winnie-Laban-leaves-Parliament |title=By-election as Labour's Winnie Laban leaves Parliament |first=Tracy |last=Watkins |publisher=Stuff.co.nz |date=10 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613203127/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4008601/By-election-as-Labours-Winnie-Laban-leaves-Parliament |archive-date=13 June 2011 |access-date=10 August 2010 |url-status=dead }}

Faafoi was chosen to represent the Labour Party in the resulting by-election, which was set for 20 November.{{cite press release |url=http://www.labour.org.nz/news/luamanuvao-winnie-laban-stand-down |title=Luamanuvao Winnie Laban to stand down |author=Phil Goff |author-link=Phil Goff |publisher=New Zealand Labour Party |date=10 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126151926/http://labour.org.nz/news/luamanuvao-winnie-laban-stand-down |archive-date=26 November 2010 |access-date=10 August 2010 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4195724/Mana-byelection-set-for-Nov-20 |title=Mana byelection set for Nov 20 |author=Andrea Vance |publisher=Stuff.co.nz |date=4 October 2010 |access-date=4 October 2010}} Four people contested the selection, with Faafoi defeating business manager Michael Evans, barrister Peter Foster and communications adviser Josie Pagani. During the campaign, he was criticised for a campaign brochure stating, "I had a great start because my family settled in Mana," implying that he grew up in the North Island electorate despite being raised in Christchurch in the South Island.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10688998|title=Labour's Kris Faafoi wins Mana by-election|date=20 November 2010|access-date=22 November 2010|publisher=The New Zealand Herald}}

Faafoi won the by-election with 10,980 votes (46.4%), becoming the first MP of Tokelauan descent. Hekia Parata from the National Party was placed second and received 9,574 (41.6%), giving Faafoi a margin of 1,080 votes (4.82%).{{cite web|title=By-Election Results – Mana |url=http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/2010_mana_byelection/electorate-21.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=21 November 2010 }} This was a significant decrease of Laban's majority of 6,155 (17.7%) at the 2008 general election.{{cite web|url=http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/2010_mana_byelection/electorate-21.html |title=Official Count Results – Mana |publisher=Elections New Zealand |date=22 November 2008 |access-date=21 November 2010}} Faafoi more than doubled the margin in the {{NZ election link year|2011}} election,{{cite web |url= http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2011/electorate-21.html |title=Official Count Results – Mana |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=4 October 2014 |date=10 December 2011}} and had a 7,953 votes margin in the {{NZ election link year|2014}} election.{{cite web |url= http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2014/electorate-22.html |title=Official Count Results – Mana |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=4 October 2014 |date=4 October 2014}}

=Sixth Labour Government (2017–2023)=

==First term, 2017–2020==

Kris Faafoi was elected as a Minister of Civil Defence, Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Associate Minister of Immigration, outside Cabinet by the Labour Party caucus following Labour's formation of a coalition government with New Zealand First and the Greens.{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/342022/video-who-s-in-who-s-out|access-date=20 October 2017|title=Who's in? Who's out?|date=20 October 2017|work=Radio NZ}}{{cite web|title=Ministerial List|url=https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/our-business-units/cabinet-office/ministers-and-their-portfolios/ministerial-list|publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|access-date=26 October 2017}}

On 30 August 2017, Faafoi announced that the Government was investing NZ$5.2 million into supporting "rapid response teams" to support communities in emergencies. The boost in funding was the result of a critical Ministerial Technical Advisory Group's (TAG) review of the Government's unsatisfactory responses to the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake and the 2017 Port Hills fires.{{cite news |last1=Long |first1=Jessica |title=Civil Defence Minister Kris Faafoi announces $5.2 million for rapid response teams for disasters |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/106685957/civil-defence-minister-kris-faafoi-announces-52-million-for-rapid-response-teams-for-disasters |access-date=30 August 2018 |publisher=Stuff |date=30 August 2018}}{{cite news |title=Government to invest $5.2 million in new 'fly-in teams' for civil defence emergencies |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/government-invest-5-2-million-in-new-fly-teams-civil-defence-emergencies |access-date=30 August 2018 |publisher=1News |date=30 August 2018}}

When Minister of Customs Meka Whaitiri "stood aside" in August 2018 over a "staffing matter" pending an investigation that same day, Faafoi assumed the Customs portfolio.{{cite news |title=Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri stands down from all ministerial portfolios over alleged assault on staff member |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/customs-minister-meka-whaitiri-stands-down-all-ministerial-portfolios-over-alleged-assault-staff-member |access-date=30 August 2018 |publisher=1News |date=30 August 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Hurley |first1=Emma |last2=Lynch |first2=Jenna |title=PM Jacinda Ardern accepts Govt Minister Meka Whaitiri's offer to stand aside |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/08/prime-minister-stands-minister-meka-whaitiri-aside.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830093850/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/08/prime-minister-stands-minister-meka-whaitiri-aside.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 August 2018 |access-date=30 August 2018 |publisher=Newshub |date=30 August 2018}}

On 7 September 2018 Faafoi was appointed Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media upon the resignation of Clare Curran.{{cite news |last1=Cooke |first1=Henry |title=Clare Curran resigns as minister, citing 'intolerable' pressure |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/106908738/clare-curran-resigns-as-minister |access-date=1 July 2019 |publisher=Stuff |date=7 September 2018}} In 2018 his main political priority was "dealing with loan sharks".

On 27 June 2019, Faafoi was appointed Minister of Government Digital Services, complementing his role as Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media. He also assumed the position of Associate Minister for Public Housing. Faafoi relinquished his position as Minister of Civil Defence and Minister of Customs, which were assumed by Peeni Henare and Jenny Salesa respectively.{{cite news |title=Winners and losers – PM reveals first substantive Cabinet reshuffle |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/393077/winners-and-losers-pm-reveals-first-substantive-cabinet-reshuffle |access-date=1 July 2019 |publisher=Radio New Zealand |date=27 June 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Small |first1=Zane |title=Jacinda Ardern's Cabinet reshuffle: Phil Twyford's Housing portfolio split into three |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/06/jacinda-ardern-s-cabinet-reshuffle-twyford-s-housing-portfolio-split-into-three.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629073652/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/06/jacinda-ardern-s-cabinet-reshuffle-twyford-s-housing-portfolio-split-into-three.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2019 |access-date=1 July 2019 |publisher=Newshub |date=27 June 2019}}

On 6 December 2019, Faafoi apologised to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for promising to speed up an immigration visa application for Opshop singer Jason Kerrison's father. Opposition National Party leader Simon Bridges claimed that Faafoi's actions could constitute a conflict of interest that breached Cabinet rules.{{cite news |last1=Whyte |first1=Anna |title=Kris Faafoi apologises to Jacinda Ardern over 'messy' visa interactions with Opshop singer |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/kris-faafoi-apologises-jacinda-ardern-over-messy-visa-interactions-opshop-singer |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=1News |date=6 December 2019}}{{cite news |title=Ardern must 'deal with' reports Kris Faafoi offered to help friend in immigration case – Bridges |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/ardern-must-deal-reports-kris-faafoi-offered-help-friend-in-immigration-case-bridges |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=Radio New Zealand |publisher=1News |date=6 December 2019 |archive-date=6 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206043130/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/ardern-must-deal-reports-kris-faafoi-offered-help-friend-in-immigration-case-bridges |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last1=Manch |first1=Thomas |title=Minister Kris Faafoi apologises for promising to 'speed things up' for Opshop singer |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/118000681/minister-kris-faafoi-apologises-for-promising-to-speed-things-up-for-opshop-singer |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=6 December 2019}}

On 8 February 2020 he announced his intention to not seek re-election in Mana for the 2020 election; he will stand as a List MP instead.{{Cite web | url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/409092/labour-mp-for-mana-kris-faafoi-says-he-will-run-as-a-list-candidate-at-this-year-s-election | title=Labour MP for Mana Kris Faafoi says he will run as a list candidate at this year's election| date=8 February 2020}} On 22 July, Faafoi became Minister of Immigration after Iain Lees-Galloway was dismissed following his admission of an inappropriate relationship with a former staffer in one of his agencies.{{cite news |last1=Whyte |first1=Anna |title=PM dismisses Iain Lees-Galloway as minister after 'inappropriate relationship' |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/minister-iain-lees-galloway-resigns-after-fairly-inappropriate-behaviour-allegation |access-date=22 July 2020 |work=1News |date=22 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721232221/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/minister-iain-lees-galloway-resigns-after-fairly-inappropriate-behaviour-allegation |archive-date=21 July 2020}}

On 4 September, Faafoi, in his capacity as Immigration Minister, extended the visas of visitors due to expire before the end of October by five months. In addition, temporary migrants unable to leave New Zealand due to international travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will be granted a new two-month COVID-19 short-term visa.{{cite news |last1=Moir |first1=Jo |title=Covid-19 visa extensions allow visitors, migrants more time |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/425240/covid-19-visa-extensions-allow-visitors-migrants-more-time |access-date=4 September 2020 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=4 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904051247/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/425240/covid-19-visa-extensions-allow-visitors-migrants-more-time |archive-date=4 September 2020|url-status=live}}

==Second term, 2020–2023==

During the 2020 general election, Faafoi was re-elected on the party list.{{cite web |title=2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result Successful Candidates|url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/successful-candidates.html|publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=26 October 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107204759/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/successful-candidates.html|archive-date=7 November 2020}} In early November 2020, Faafoi was appointed as Minister of Justice, while retaining his "Broadcasting and Media" and Immigration portfolios.{{cite web |title=Ministerial List for Announcement on Monday |url=https://dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2020-11/ministerial-list-2-nov-2020.pdf |publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |access-date=4 November 2020 |date=2 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103122141/https://dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2020-11/ministerial-list-2-nov-2020.pdf|archive-date=3 November 2020|url-status=live}}

On 21 December 2020, Faafoi, in his capacity as Immigration Minister, announced a six-month extension for employer-assisted work and working holiday visa holders along with their partners and children in order to address the country's labour shortage. In addition, a 12-month stand-down period for low-paid Essential Skills visa holders working in New Zealand for three years was suspended until January 2022.{{cite news |last1=Earley |first1=Melanies |title=Covid-19: Visa changes mean many onshore migrants will be able to stay and work for longer |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300189185/covid19-visa-changes-mean-many-onshore-migrants-will-be-able-to-stay-and-work-for-longer |access-date=20 December 2020 |work=Stuff |date=20 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220105937/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300189185/covid19-visa-changes-mean-many-onshore-migrants-will-be-able-to-stay-and-work-for-longer |archive-date=20 December 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Migrant worker visas extended to address labour uncertainties |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/433279/migrant-worker-visas-extended-to-address-labour-uncertainties |access-date=20 December 2020 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=20 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220112325/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/433279/migrant-worker-visas-extended-to-address-labour-uncertainties |archive-date=20 December 2020|url-status=live}}

In July 2021, Justice Minister Faafoi introduced the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill, which seeks to ban conversion therapy.{{cite news |last1=Neilson |first1=Michael |title=Gay conversion therapy to become criminal offence, Justice Minister Kris Faafoi announces |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/gay-conversion-therapy-to-become-criminal-offence-justice-minister-kris-faafoi-announces/QKHW76EPEP2YYAGYFJYEOSAK74/ |access-date=31 July 2021 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730053236/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/gay-conversion-therapy-to-become-criminal-offence-justice-minister-kris-faafoi-announces/QKHW76EPEP2YYAGYFJYEOSAK74/ |archive-date=30 July 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=McClure |first1=Tess |title=‘No place in modern New Zealand’: government signals conversion practices ban |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/30/no-place-in-modern-new-zealand-government-signals-conversion-practices-ban |access-date=31 July 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730125017/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/30/no-place-in-modern-new-zealand-government-signals-conversion-practices-ban |archive-date=30 July 2021|url-status=live}} The Bill passed its third reading on 15 February 2022.{{Cite news|date=15 February 2022|title=Politicians react as bill to ban conversion therapy passes|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/461599/politicians-react-as-bill-to-ban-conversion-therapy-passes|access-date=17 February 2022|work=Radio New Zealand|language=en-nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218050733/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/461599/politicians-react-as-bill-to-ban-conversion-therapy-passes|archive-date=18 February 2022|url-status=live}}

In mid–November 2021, Faafoi introduced legislation to repeal the Sentencing and Parole Reform Act 2010 (the so-called "Three Strikes Law"). He described the "three-strikes law" as "archaic, unfair, and ineffective" and claimed it had led to "absurd and perverse" outcomes. While the proposed repeal legislation was supported by the Labour and Green parties, the opposition National and ACT parties opposed repealing the "three strikes law."{{cite news |last1=Weekes |first1=John |title=Three strikes law to be repealed, opposition parties furious |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/three-strikes-law-to-be-repealed-opposition-parties-furious/HH2344BOGRGYMRLSXWAOKVHKK4/ |access-date=5 July 2022 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=11 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113045825/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/three-strikes-law-to-be-repealed-opposition-parties-furious/HH2344BOGRGYMRLSXWAOKVHKK4/ |archive-date=13 November 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Three strikes law - you're out: Justice Minister to repeal |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/455452/three-strikes-law-you-re-out-justice-minister-to-repeal |access-date=5 July 2022 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=11 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113000645/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/455452/three-strikes-law-you-re-out-justice-minister-to-repeal |archive-date=13 November 2021|url-status=live}}

On 13 June 2022, it was announced that Faafoi would resign his seat in Parliament soon in order to spend more time with his family, particularly his school-aged youngest son. Faafoi had wanted to resign during the 2020 general election but Ardern had convinced him to stay for another year.{{Cite news|last=Witton |first=Bridie |date=13 June 2022 |title=Kris Faafoi, Trevor Mallard to quit Parliament, sparking big Labour reshuffle |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/128948673/kris-faafoi-trevor-mallard-to-quit-parliament-sparking-big-labour-reshuffle |access-date=13 June 2022 |work=Stuff |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613130347/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/128948673/kris-faafoi-trevor-mallard-to-quit-parliament-sparking-big-labour-reshuffle|archive-date=13 June 2022|url-status=live}} His resignation triggered a cabinet reshuffle within the Sixth Labour Government, in which Faafoi's immigration, justice and broadcasting portfolios were assumed by Michael Wood, Kiri Allan, and Willie Jackson, respectively.{{Cite news |first=Thomas |last=Manch |title=Labour's new Cabinet – who's in, who's out, as Trevor Mallard and Kris Faafoi resign |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/128950128/labours-new-cabinet--whos-in-whos-out-as-trevor-mallard-and-kris-faafoi-resign |date=13 June 2022 |access-date=13 June 2022 |work=Stuff |language=en-NZ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614102657/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/128950128/labours-new-cabinet--whos-in-whos-out-as-trevor-mallard-and-kris-faafoi-resign|archive-date=14 June 2022|url-status=live }} On 16 June, Faafoi was granted retention of the title "The Honourable" for life, in recognition of his term as a member of the Executive Council.{{cite news |url=https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2022-vr2404 |title=Retention of the title "The Honourable" |date=16 June 2022 |work=New Zealand Gazette |access-date=16 June 2022}} Faafoi's resignation from Parliament took effect on 23 July.{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansD_20220621_20220621 |title=Hansard (debates) |date=21 June 2022 |access-date=21 June 2022 |volume=760}}

After politics

After leaving Parliament, Faafoi started a lobbying and public relations firm called Dialogue22, serving as chief executive.{{cite news|title=Ex-minister Kris Faafoi is now a lobbyist and PR guy |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300704791/exminister-kris-faafoi-is-now-a-lobbyist-and-pr-guy |work=Stuff |access-date=5 October 2022 |language=en |date=4 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004132114/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300704791/exminister-kris-faafoi-is-now-a-lobbyist-and-pr-guy|archive-date=4 October 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Block |first1=George |title=Exclusive: Former Cabinet minister Kris Faafoi to head new lobbying and PR firm |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/exclusive-former-cabinet-minister-kris-faafoi-to-head-new-lobbying-and-pr-firm/MVTOAEY6MNWG5T5MFPS62IBDZA/ |access-date=5 October 2022 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005081751/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/exclusive-former-cabinet-minister-kris-faafoi-to-head-new-lobbying-and-pr-firm/MVTOAEY6MNWG5T5MFPS62IBDZA/ |archive-date=5 October 2022|url-status=live |url-access=subscription}} In January 2024 it was announced he would start in April as the chief executive of the Insurance Council of New Zealand.{{Cite web |date=12 January 2024 |title=Former cabinet minister Kris Faafoi to head Insurance Council |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/133550835/former-cabinet-minister-kris-faafoi-to-head-insurance-council |access-date=15 September 2024 |website=www.stuff.co.nz}}

Personal life

Kris lives in Wellington with his wife Mae and three sons.{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kris-faafoi-gets-serious-about-politics-housing-and-helping-the-little-people/CUZEMKMS5QLIGABQSZUP7W7KSQ/|title=Kris Faafoi gets serious about politics, housing and helping the little people|newspaper=New Zealand Herald|date=10 August 2019|first=Claire|last=Trevett}} Faafoi was previously married to Gina Faafoi-Rogers. Their son George was born 2008.{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4370528/Manas-man-Faafoi-straight-into-2011-campaign|title=Mana's man Faafoi straight into 2011 campaign|last=Small|first=Vernon|date=22 November 2010|work=Stuff|access-date=22 November 2010}}

His elder brother Jason is a TV presenter and musician.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/long-lost-sons-2004|title=Long Lost Sons | Television | NZ On Screen|first=NZ On|last=Screen|website=www.nzonscreen.com}}{{IMDb name|nm0264389|Jason Fa'afoi}} They made a documentary together about their family visiting Tokelau, which was released in 2004.