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.
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."
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."
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.
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."
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