Alfred Ngaro

Alfred Ngaro was the first New Zealand born Cook Island person to enter New Zealand Parliament on the 26th of November 2011.

He is married to his wife Moka, for 37 years. They have four adult children and two grandchildren. Ngaro's father is from Aitutaki and Pukapuka, and his mother is from Mangaia in the Cook Islands. He was born and raised in Auckland to hard working parents who came to New Zealand with a vision to give their children a better future.

He trained in AUT and became a qualified electrician and later completed his theological degree at the Bible College of New Zealand (now Laidlaw College).

Ngaro worked as a community-led development and governance consultant with expertise in New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Canada. He co-pioneered several community initiatives, such as the Tamaki Achievement Pathway, Healthy Village Action Zone (HVAZ) Project, and the Inspiring Communities Exchange Network sponsored by the Tindall Foundation. He was later formally recognized as a Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader for his work on the Tamaki Transformation Project.

Ngaro's governance experience includes key roles on the National Family Violence Taskforce, Auckland District Health Board and Pacific Advisory Committee Auckland City Council.  He served as the Board of Trustees Chairman for the Auckland District Health Board's Pacific Committee and Tamaki College. He is proudly a white ribbon Ambassador for the White Ribbon campaign to stand against domestic violence, especially towards women and children. He has spent countless hours advocating for initiatives encouraging men like himself to be good dads.

Ngaro was a member of the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2020. During his time serving as a member of Parliament, he held various roles, including Minister for the Community and Voluntary sector, associate Minister for Social Housing and Children, Party spokesperson for Children, children and Disability Issues, Community and Voluntary Sector, Courts, Disability Issues and Pacific Peoples. Ngaros values are deeply rooted in community faith and his unwavering commitment to advocating at a political level for the everyday people whose voices are often left behind.