Former Speaker of the House and Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe dies

Author: Thomas Coughlan,
Publish Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2026, 7:56am

The Speaker Adrian Rurawhe reading his findings o over Meka Whaitiri's regignation from the labour Party, Parliament, Wellington. 04 May, 2023. NZ Herald photograph by Mark Mitchell

Former Speaker of the House Adrian Rurawhe has died this morning at Rātana Pā, his family announced.

Rurawhe was Speaker in the last Labour Government’s second term and was an MP in the Te Tai Hauāuru electorate since 2014.

“Adrian Rurawhe was one of the finest people ever to sit in the New Zealand Parliament,” Labour leader Chris Hipkins said.

“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.“

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,” Hipkins said.

“Adrian was our Rangatira. We 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,” 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,” Willie Jackson said

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 Ratana Pa 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.