Audio By Carbonatix
An Eritrean former refugee has become New Zeland's first African MP following Labour Party’s biggest victory in 50 years.
Ibrahim Omer is now a list MP having ranked 42 in the Labour Party list.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's party won enough seats to allow Mr Ibrahim to be in parliament.
During campaigns Mr Ibrahim said he wanted to "fight for people in the positions he has been in to have better opportunities for a decent life".
He fled Eritrea in 2003 into a refugee camp in neighbouring Sudan. He was later resettled in New Zealand where he worked as a cleaner at Victoria University.
He studied at the university while working as a cleaning supervisor and got involved in politics while there.
Mr Ibrahim said his win was "for the low paid workers" and "former refugees".
Latest Stories
-
Don’t scrap OSP – Anti-corruption CSO demands review
2 hours -
GIS, EU vow closer security cooperation to boost northern border control
3 hours -
IGP leads major show of force with new armoured fleet
4 hours -
Two female prison officers killed in ghastly crash
4 hours -
Abolish or Reform? Abu Jinapor counsels sober reflection on debate over future of Special Prosecutor’s Office
6 hours -
2026 World Cup: Can Ghana navigate England, Croatia, and Panama in Group L?
6 hours -
NAIMOS task force arrests 9 Chinese illegal miners, destroys equipment at Dadieso
7 hours -
NAIMOS advances into Atiwa Forest, uncovers child labour, river diversion and heavy machinery
7 hours -
NAIMOS Task Force storms Fanteakwa South, dismantles galamsey operations
7 hours -
The Kissi Agyebeng Removal Bid: A Look at the Numbers
8 hours -
DVLA to roll out digitised accident reports, new number plates and 24-hour services
8 hours -
DVLA Workers’ Union opens 2025 Annual Residential Delegates Congress with call for excellence, equity and solidarity
9 hours -
Scholarships Secretariat sets December 8–9 interviews for Commonwealth Scholarship applicants
9 hours -
WASSCE decline reveals deep gaps, there’s need to overhaul education system – Franklin Cudjoe
10 hours -
JOY FM Drive Time host Lexis Bill leads fans up Aburi Mountain in energetic ‘Walk With Lexis’ fitness experience
10 hours