Shanan was elected to Parliament in 2020 as the MP for Northcote and in 2023 as a Labour list MP. Shanan is the Labour Spokesperson for Tertiary Education and Whānau Ora. He has previously held roles as Chair of the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee and Petitions Select Committee and as opposition spokesperson for Auckland Issues and Rainbow Communities. Before he was elected to Parliament in 2020, Shanan spent 15 years working in tertiary institutions including Te Wananga o Aotearoa, AUT and Waipapa Taumata Rau- The University of Auckland. Shanan is passionate about ensuring equitable access to higher education that allows all New Zealanders to build meaningful careers and live quality lives. He has Iwi affiliations to Ngāti Whitikaupeka and Rongowhakaata and was raised in Hawkes Bay.