Chris became the new Associate Minister of Māori Affairs following the 2011 election, adding to his existing roles of Attorney-General, Minister of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, and Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage.

Chris is looking forward to working with Minister Sharples on a number of issues across the Māori Affairs portfolio.

He entered Parliament in 2005 as a National Party List Member of Parliament and assumed his existing roles in the John Key led Government following the 2008 election.

Before entering Parliament Chris was a lawyer and represented clients in all of New Zealand’s courts and tribunals. From 1989 to 2005 he acted for a number of iwi and also Te Ohu Kaimoana. Chris has worked closely with Te Puni Kōkiri staff in the last three years as Minister of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and is very much looking forward to working with them in new areas over the next three years. Chris is very ambitious to achieve much for Māori in the second term of the John Key led Government and in all he does is guided by the following whakatauki:

"Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei.” “Aim for the highest cloud so that if you miss it, you will hit a lofty mountain."

Information about Chris's portfolio including ministerial press releases and speeches is at: www.beehive.govt.nz.