Leaders gather at Whangaehu Marae to honor former Speaker Adrian Rurawhe

Former Labour MP and Speaker of the House Adrian Rurawhe was honoured at a tangi held on Friday afternoon at Whangaehu Marae in Whanganui. Around one hundred political figures and iwi representatives gathered, beginning with Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po and other Māori leaders. The political delegation, led by Speaker Gerry Brownlee, included Labour leader Chris Hipkins, deputy Carmel Sepuloni, Māori caucus chair Willie Jackson, and candidates such as Te Pūoho Katene, who is contesting the Te Tai Hauāuru seat.

New Zealand First, Te Pāti Māori and ACT sent their own representatives, while former MPs Trevor Mallard, Nanaia Mahuta and Poto Williams also attended. Speakers praised Rurawhe’s calm demeanor, his ability to command respect in Parliament, and recalled moments when he exercised his authority, such as ejecting Green co-leader Marama Davidson from the House.