“Aotearoa is poorer for his passing, and Parliament will miss him deeply,” Hipkins said.
“Adrian was our Rangatira. We were all very proud when he was honoured as being only the second person of Māori descent to be appointed to the role of Speaker,” Labour Māori caucus co-chair Willie Jackson said.
“Adrian was a humble man who dedicated his life to the service of his people. His whānau, his iwi and his faith were at the heart of everything he did.
“He never forgot where he came from, and he never stopped serving his people.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Rurawhe carried “real mana” and was respected on all sides of the House.
“As Speaker he was fair and calm, as a Member of Parliament he was steadfast and committed to his people, and as a man he was warm and humble. He will be missed and he will be remembered. Rest in Peace.”
A statement from Rurawhe’s whānau read: “It is with deep sadness that after a recent illness we announce the passing of The Right Honorable Adrian Paki Rurawhe MP, of Ratana Pā”.
“Son of the late Wereta and Mihi Rurawhe. Brother of Christina and Michael, Jackie and Gwen, Gaylene and Cedric, Walter and Toni. Mokopuna of the late Matiu TW Ratana MP and Iriaka Ratana MP and the late Paki and Meipara Rurawhe. Loved by all his nieces, nephews and mokopuna.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Speaker Adrian Rurawhe at Rātana Pā in 2023. Photo / Mark Mitchell
“The whanau are slowly coming to terms with such a great loss. Not only to our whanau, but to his church Te Haahi Ratana, his Iwi of Ngāti Apa and Whanganui, and his former colleagues in the House of Representatives where he served as a Member of Parliament from 2014 to January 2026,” the statement read.
The family said Rurawhe would lie in state at Whangaehu Marae until his burial at Ngā Puketuurua Ratana Pa.
Further details will be announced shortly.