The dirty dog sunglasses have been retired. The menacing swagger is gone. The transformation is now complete. After six years in purgatory, Tau Henare - the once bad boy of politics - is back.
"Yes, the sunglasses are gone. This time round you will see an older wiser politician," Henare
said. "The party has put a bit of faith in me and I can't wait to get back in the thick of things. I have missed politics."
Though Henare is being touted to return to his job as Maori Affairs Minister, he said he had no political ambitions apart from being a hard-working list MP.
Henare, 44, who won Te Tai Tokerau for New Zealand First in 1993 and 1996 before losing his seat in 1999, returned to the cut and thrust of political life last night - securing a second stint in Parliament by virtue of his 29th placing on the National Party list.
Henare - who for the past few years has been working as a consultant and talkback host - did not have the support to dent Te Atatu MP Chris Carter's huge majority, but securing the electorate seat was never going to be a realistic target.
He has promised to bring a little "mongrel" to National.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
