Former Speaker and Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe has died

Former Speaker of the House and Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe has died at Rātana Pā following a recent illness. He was 65 years old. His family announced that he passed away peacefully while surrounded by his whānau.

Rurawhe served as the Member of Parliament for Te Tai Hauāuru from 2014 until January 2026. He held the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives from August 2022 to December 2023. He retired from politics earlier this year, serving as a list MP until February.

Tributes have been paid by political leaders, including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins. Hipkins described him as "one of the finest people ever to sit in the New Zealand Parliament". Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee announced that flags at Parliament would be flown at half-mast.

Rurawhe will lie in state at Whangaehu Marae before being laid to rest at Ngā Puketuurua, Rātana Pā. A whole of Parliament delegation is expected to pay their respects at the marae on Friday.

How it developed

• Thu 1 Oct, 6:00amThe report specifies that Rurawhe was 65 years old and provides details regarding his valedictory speech and his history with the Labour Party.

Where reports differ

• Reports vary on the exact end date of his parliamentary service, with some stating he served until January 2026 and others noting he was a list MP until retiring in February.

Compiled from reports by 1News, The Post and NZ Herald.