Amalia Osborne
When it comes to her strong sense of social justice, Labour MP Barbara Edmonds doesn’t have to look far to see where it all began. Her adored dad Selani set the example early – a dedicated, hard-working man who instilled in her the values of service, humility and community.
Today, as one of Parliament’s rising stars and a proud mum of eight, Labour Party finance spokesperson Barbara, 44, draws on those same values both in her political work and with her busy family.
“Dad is amazing,” she says during a whirlwind visit to see Selani and other loved ones at her brother’s home on Auckland’s North Shore.
The heart of her story begins at home
“He’s very much the heart of our family.”
Although Barbara lives in Tītahi Bay in Wellington with her husband Chris, plus their children Acacia, 21, Arkaid, 20, Agape, 18, Patience, 17, Prayer, 16, Salem, 15, Yahzel, 13, and Harmony, 12, it’s on the North Shore that her journey began.
‘Some people think it’s peculiar having such a big family, but I love it!’
Raised alongside her three siblings by their Samoan parents, Barbara was born Rachel Fati Poe. But after her mum Barbara (or Palepa in Samoan) died of cancer in 1986, her youngest daughter was given her name. Just four years old when she lost her mother, Barbara says Selani’s strength and love pulled the family through, and as the duo join Woman’s Day for a special father-daughter photoshoot, it’s clear their bond is tight.
Strong values at the heart of family life
Barbara says Selani did an incredible job of raising his children, with high expectations, firm rules and endless love. It’s a recipe Barbara has followed with her own family. While she admits she’s not quite as strict as her dad was, the same principles remain – strong values, structure and a lot of teamwork. With a bustling household and a demanding political career, things can get chaotic, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I know some people think it’s peculiar having such a big family, but I love it,” shares Barbara.
Raising eight kids with love, laughter & support
“It’s busy, full-on and all of that, but the kids are so great and really funny. They’ve all got their own character, and they all gang up on me and Chris – they love teasing us. “But they self-regulate each other. The discipline doesn’t really need to come from Chris and I because they call it out between each other. They hold each other to high standards, which is cool to see.”
While raising eight children alongside her flourishing career as a tax lawyer and her move into politics has been hard work, Barbara says it’s all about teamwork with Chris, whom she met aged 16. When she became pregnant with her first child in her second year at law school, Chris’ parents stepped in to help so she could continue with her studies. And when the couple and their four young children moved to Wellington for Barbara to take up a law job at the Inland Revenue Department, Chris, who is of Ngā puhi descent, decided to give up work and become a stay-at-home dad.
A partnership built on sacrifices
This allowed her to climb the ranks as a tax lawyer, welcome four more babies and supported her move into politics five years ago.
“Chris’ dream was to walk his kids to school each day and to be there for them at home,” explains Barbara.
“And like most Samoan children, mine was to be a lawyer or a doctor. That’s why it’s worked because we’ve both been able to fulfil our dreams.”
Barbara laughs when she’s asked why she and Chris, who married on the same day as her graduation from the University of Auckland, had so many kids. With only two boys out of eight children, she says they kept going to try for a bit more balance. Once they got to seven, they decided enough was enough.
A Pasifika woman’s voice in parliament
“But then we joke that we lost the TV remote one night – and along came baby Harmony!”
There’s no doubt politics can be bruising and as a Pasifika woman, Barbara has experienced her fair share of nasty online commentary. Yet she believes deeply in making New Zealand a better place to live for everyone and is determined to continue fighting for change as the Labour Party works towards the election next year.
Growing up, Barbara experienced firsthand the causes she now champions.
Community, family, and the policies that made a difference
“The thing I’ve learned in my five years of being a politician is that the things that matter to my community are the things that matter to all communities up and down the country,” she says.
“Being able to have a place you can call your home, being able to put food on your table, to be warm, to be able to send your kids to good schools and the ability to have choices in life is what matters.”
She says it was Labour policies that helped her family get where they are today. A social housing grant allowed Selani to build his family a home and the Domestic Purposes Benefit meant he could take care of his children when his wife died.
When he trained as a social worker at 48, the Training Incentive Allowance paid for his petrol to get to his course. Selani explains he never felt comfortable relying on benefits, so to balance that, he threw himself into community work. He joined school boards, drove the school van and became a Pasifika community stalwart.
A Matai title and a lifetime of service
“If anyone was having trouble with their kids, they’d be sent to me to help,” he tells.
And he had high expectations for his own children. He says to see them all prosper, with three out of four being head boy or girl at their high schools, and gain university degrees and impressive jobs, has been hugely rewarding. He loves tuning into Question Time to see his daughter in Parliament.
While Barbara is humble about her achievements, she admits it was an honour to be unexpectedly bestowed with the Matai Chiefly Title of Peseta Tamalelagi when she was in Samoa recently. She says it reminds her of her obligations to her community there and in Aotearoa.
Finding balance amid a busy life
“As a Pasifika person, you never walk alone and I feel that deeply,” she enthuses.
“Dad taught me that and it’s what drives me every day. I’m just following his footsteps a lot because the lesson we learned as kids is that you serve your community and you serve your family.”
With so much going on in her life, Barbara admits it’s not easy finding time for herself, but a beach walk at the weekend or a quick gym session with Chris, 46, after finishing work at 10pm is enough for her. Barbara and her family dedicate Saturdays to whānau. With her children getting older, she and Chris are soaking in their moments with them.
“Often we’ll have seven or eight sports games to watch in the morning,” she says.
“Then at night, we all get together to watch the Warriors. “That’s probably when we’re happiest – all of us crammed in front of the TV with lots of snacks and lots of noise. Our kids are sporty kids, so they get hyped up.”
When Selani turns 80 next month, there’s no doubt it’ll be a huge family celebration.
Says Barbara, “Dad deserves a big party, that’s for sure. It’s not till you become an adult that you realise what your parents sacrificed. “I am very aware just how special he is.”
