Donna was a former ACT list MP from 1996-2003. In 2003 Awatere-Huata was expelled from the ACT party due to allegations of fraud regarding an educational charity.
In the 1970s Donna was one of the earlier activists for Maori causes becoming heavily involved in the Maori protest movement.
In 1984 Donna published Maori Sovereignty, a prominent text in the Maori protest movement.
