Speculation about her future arose in 2004 after she criticised then leader Don Brash's Orewa Speech. Questioned some weeks later, she refused to rule out the possibility that she might switch allegiance to the new Māori Party, which had formed after the resignation of Tariana Turia.
However she remained with National for the 2005 election and served as a backbencher for the party, serving as a Spokeswoman for Broadcasting, Associate Spokeswoman for Defence, Treaty of Waitangi Issues and Māori Affairs (Māori Development).
From 19 November 2008 until the 2011 election she was the Minister for Courts, Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control, and Associate Minister of Māori Affairs in the National Party Government led by John Key. Te Heuheu announced she would retire at the 2011 election.[5]
Life after Parliament
Te Heuheu was appointed chairwoman of Māori Television in 2012 and now also sits on several Māori Trust Boards and Charity Committees including the Tuwharetoa Māori Trust Board.[6] In her capacity as chairwoman she has been leading a review of Māori Television services and its operational structure to see whether better outcomes can be achieved for the station.[7]
Private life
She married Timoti ("Timi") te Heuheu, brother of Sir Tumu te Heuheu, a Ngāti Tuwharetoa leader and son of Sir Hepi Te Heuheu. He died in 2012.[8] They had two sons.[4]