[1][4][5] He joined Labour Party leader Phil Goff's office after the 2008 general election, serving as chief press secretary.

[6] After the resignation of Mana MP Luamanuvao Winnie Laban on 10 August 2010,[7] Faafoi was chosen to represent the Labour Party in the resulting by-election, which was set for 20 November.

[8][9] Four people contested the selection, with Faafoi defeating business manager Michael Evans, barrister Peter Foster and communications adviser Josie Pagani.

The boost in funding was the result of a critical Ministerial Technical Advisory Group's (TAG) review of the Government's unsatisfactory responses to the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake and the 2017 Port Hills fires.

[22][23] On 6 December 2019, Faafoi apologised to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for promising to speed up an immigration visa application for Opshop singer Jason Kerrison's father.

Opposition National Party leader Simon Bridges claimed that Faafoi's actions could constitute a conflict of interest that breached Cabinet rules.

[28] On 4 September, Faafoi, in his capacity as Immigration Minister, extended the visas of visitors due to expire before the end of October by five months.

In addition, temporary migrants unable to leave New Zealand due to international travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will be granted a new two-month COVID-19 short-term visa.

In addition, a 12-month stand-down period for low-paid Essential Skills visa holders working in New Zealand for three years was suspended until January 2022.

"[37][38] On 13 June 2022, it was announced that Faafoi would resign his seat in Parliament soon in order to spend more time with his family, particularly his school-aged youngest son.

[39] His resignation triggered a cabinet reshuffle within the Sixth Labour Government, in which Faafoi's immigration, justice and broadcasting portfolios were assumed by Michael Wood, Kiri Allan, and Willie Jackson, respectively.