Early life Corban was descended from
Assid Abraham Corban, who emigrated in 1892 to New Zealand from
Lebanon and in 1902 established the first commercial vineyard in New Zealand. In 1948, Assid Corban married Miriam Khouri, and the couple went on to have four children.
Political career Corban was first elected as a councillor for Henderson Borough Council in 1956–1959, and again in 1965–1971. In 1971–1974, he held the position of Deputy Mayor, and he was elected Mayor of Henderson Borough Council in 1974. He held that position until the
1989 local government reforms when Henderson became part of the newly formed
Waitakere City. As mayor, Corban oversaw the development of Henderson Square, a large-scale shopping centre (now known as
WestCity Waitakere). He was then elected as a councillor to
Waitakere City 1998–2001, and from 2007 to 2010. and the Waitakere Licensing Trust Ward 4 – Henderson. ==Community involvement==