Former New Zealand Speaker Adrian Rurawhe passes away at Rātana Pā
Adrian Rurawhe, who served as Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, died this morning at Rātana Pā after a recent illness, his family announced.
Former Speaker Adrian Rurawhe died this morning at Rātana Pā, following a recent illness, according to his family. He served as Speaker during the second term of the previous Labour administration and had been the MP for Te Tai Hauāuru since 2014. Labour leader Chris Hipkins described him as a dignified figure who commanded respect across all parties without ever raising his voice.
Māori caucus co-chair Willie Jackson noted that Rurawhe was only the second Māori-descent individual to hold the Speaker’s role and praised his lifelong dedication to his people, iwi and faith. The family’s announcement listed his parents, siblings and extended relatives, emphasizing his deep ties to the Ratana church and Ngāti Apa and Whanganui iwi. Arrangements include lying in state at Whangaehu Marae, with burial planned for Ngā Puketuurua Ratana Pa, and further details to be released later.
