Former Speaker of the House and former Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe has died following a recent illness.

Rurawhe spent more than a decade in Parliament and served as Speaker of the House from August 2022 until December 2023.

His whānau confirmed his death through Te Ao Māori News, describing a profound loss for his family, Te Hāhi Rātana, Ngāti Apa, Whanganui and those he worked alongside during his political career.

Rurawhe had strong family ties to both the Rātana movement and New Zealand politics.

Before entering Parliament, Rurawhe chaired Ngāti Apa and worked across the health and education sectors.

He was first elected to Parliament for Labour in 2014, representing Te Tai Hauāuru until the 2023 general election.

Rurawhe became an Assistant Speaker in 2017 and Deputy Speaker in 2020 before being elected Speaker of the House in August 2022.

After the 2023 election he remained in Parliament as a Labour list MP, serving on the Māori Affairs Committee and holding responsibilities including Whānau Ora. He retired from Parliament on 6 February 2026 after announcing he wanted to spend more time with whānau and the church.

At the time of his retirement, Labour leader Chris Hipkins described Rurawhe as someone respected across Parliament and a passionate advocate for Māori.

Rurawhe will lie at Whangaehu Marae before his burial at Ngā Puketuurua at Rātana Pā.

“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,” Chris 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,” said Labour Māori caucus co chair, Willie Jackson.

“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.