John Tamihere is promising to restrain himself after having his application to rejoin the Labour Party approved.
The former Labour Government minister, who is now chief executive of the Waipareira Trust, was censured by the party in 2005 after making offensive comments about women and homosexuals.
Mr Tamihere said he can't take back what he said in 2005 but he has no intention of repeating it in the future.
He said he's glad to be back in the Labour Party and will be focussing his attention on the debate around the economic wellbeing of local communities and the country.
Party president Moira Coatsworth said not everyone will support the decision to approve Mr Tamihere's membership.
Ms Coatsworth said some of the concerns members raised related to offensive comments Mr Tamihere had made about women.
