Former speaker Adrian Paki Rurawhe has died following a recent illness, his family has announced.
Rurawhe was Speaker in the last Labour Government’s second term and was an MP in the Te Tai Hauāuru electorate since 2014.
Over the course of his parliamentary career, he held several senior roles including Speaker of the House of Representatives from August 2022 to December 2023.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins paid tribute this morning, describing him as “one of the finest people ever to” be an MP.
Former Speaker of the House and Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe dies – Watch on TVNZ+
Earlier this year Rurawhe retired from politics.
In a statement, his family said: “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.
“The whānau are slowly coming to terms with such a great loss. Not only to our whānau, 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.”
Labour leader Chris Hipkins described him as “one of the finest people ever to” be an MP. (Source: 1News)
His whānau added on social media this morning that he “passed peacefully surrounded by love, with his whānau close by”.
“We are incredibly grateful for the many messages, prayers, thoughts and expressions of aroha that have been shared with Adrian and our whānau during this time.”
The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including Opportunity’s challenge to National, and a big milestone for the world’s tallest bridge. (Source: 1News)
Rurawhe would lay in state at Whangaehu Marae before being laid to rest at Ngā Puketuurua, Ratana Pā.
Labour mourns loss
Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said “it is with profound sadness that the Labour Party mourns the passing of the Rt Hon Adrian Paki Rurawhe”, and described him as “one of the finest people ever to sit in the New Zealand Parliament”.
“He carried the mana of his people and of the Speaker’s Chair with dignity and respect. He was firm without ever needing to raise his voice, and he was universally respected across every party in the House,” Hipkins said.
“Members of every party sought his counsel because they knew it would be honest, considered, and given in confidence.
“Aotearoa is poorer for his passing, and Parliament will miss him deeply,” he said.
Labour’s Māori caucus co-chair Willie Jackson said they “were all very proud when he was honoured as being only the second person of Māori decent to be appointed to the role of Speaker”.
“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,” Jackson added.
Former prime minister Jacinda Ardern said she considered herself “so lucky to have known and worked with him”.
“He was a man of quiet resolve, with a fierce moral compass, and deep kindness. He brought all of those skills to parliament, and to the role of Speaker,” she wrote online.
PM says he was ‘respected on all sides of the House’
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Rurawhe was “one of those MPs who 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 wrote online.
“He will be missed and he will be remembered.”
‘He will be deeply missed’ – Speaker Gerry Brownlee
The speaker of the house Gerry Brownlee said he was “deeply saddened by the death”.
“He was a fine gentleman who brought a calm manner to the Speaker’s chair and a dignity to Parliament,” he said in a statement.
“The flags at Parliament will be flown at half-mast in the following days as a mark of respect for a man whose time in politics emphasised the need for people to be respectful to one another. He will be deeply missed.
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: ‘No better speaker in Parliament’
In a post online, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer paid tribute to Rurawhe, saying “there was no better speaker in parliament, even though he was the first to kick me out of the house”.
“Everyday he wore his Korowai making no mistake he knew who he was and where he was from. And the world saw it. His humility was unmatched. He had a pause and a long stare that could bring order to anything,” she went on.
She spoke warmly of his family, including his sisters Gaylene and Christine, saying she would “think of his giggle and eye rolls when his sisters were direct and directing. He knew he was sooo loved”.
“My depth of love for him springs from him reconnecting me as a Morehu, reminding of our whakapapa and trust in Ihoa. Giving strength in the most toxic environment,” Ngarewa-Packer said.