TePāti Māori co-founder, leader and long-serving MP Dame Tariana Turia has died.

Turia passed away in the early hours of this morning, aged 80.

“The whānau of the Honourable Dr Dame Tariana Turia advise, with deep sadness, the passing of their beloved kuia at Whangaehu Marae in Whanganui,” a statement from Turia’s whānau said.

“A mother of six; grandmother; great-grandmother of over 80 mokopuna, Kahurangi (Dame) Tariana will be remembered for spearheading a movement of transformation inspired by her belief in whānau being able to define their own solutions.

“It was her heartfelt wish to return home to lie in the house of Rangitāhuahua; her last days surrounded with the laughter of mokopuna, the waiata of her whānau; the karakia and kōrero that had always given her comfort,” the statement today from Turia’s whānau said.

On January 1, 2025, iwi collective Te Ranga Tupua said Turia suffered a stroke on a post on social media.

At the time, the iwi group, made up of iwi based in Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Ruapehu and South Taranaki, said Turia “unfortunately hasn’t been given much time with us all”.

Dame Tariana Turia at Pākaitore on the day of Māori Party day of action/protest. Photo / Bevan Conley

Whānau will gather at Pakaitore where Turia will lie at 1pm today.

She will then travel by waka to Putiki Marae, before returning home to Whangaehu at 4pm.

On Sunday and Monday, the marae will open to the motu, to come and say their farewells. A pōwhiri will be held at 9am and 2pm each day. The nehu will be held on January 7 at 11am.

Turia “championed the drive for self-determination”

Turia served as a minister under both Labour and National governments and was an MP for 18 years.

The wāhine Māori political leader first entered Parliament as a Labour list MP in 1996, a year after leading the 79-day Moutua Gardens protest in Whanganui.

Turia took up roles as an Associate Minister in 1999 following Labour’s election success - with portfolios in Māori Affairs, Housing, Social Services, and Health.

She served on Labour’s list for two parliamentary terms before contesting and winning the Māori seat of Te Tai Hauāuru for the party in 2002.

Turia was the voice of the electorate, spanning just north of Ōtorohanga, through New Plymouth, Whanganui, and Wellington’s Tawa.

She took the Associate Corrections portfolio in 2002 and became Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector after another Labour election victory.

Then came her famous split with the Labour Party in 2004, catalysed by the controversial Foreshore and Seabed Act.

“Kahurangi Tariana championed the drive for self-determination; becoming co-leader of the Māori Party in 2004 after she famously ‘crossed the floor’ to vote against the Foreshore and Seabed Bill,” the statement today from Turia’s whānau said.

Turia resigned from Labour and that same year a by-election was held for her seat. Turia contested the electorate as a candidate of the newly formed Māori Party and maintained the seat.

From 2008 until the end of her time in the House, the Māori Party served as a support to National’s Government under Prime Minister John Key. Turia once again held the title of Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector.

She also served as Associate Minister of Social Development and Employment, and Health, during the party’s support of the then-Government.

During her tenure in Parliament, Turia was responsible for the creation of wellbeing agency Whānau Ora, something she has later admitted she feels a sense of pride about.

She retired from politics in 2014.

Tariana Turia was made Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services as a Member of Parliament in the 2015 New Year Honours list. Photo / Stuart Munro

The 2015 New Year Honours made Turia a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services as an MP.

At the time, Turia considered turning down the honour.

“In the first instance I thought I might not take it but they [her whānau] said it’s not really for me, it’s for our whānau, hapū and iwi - for all the people I have worked alongside,” she said.

When a Treaty of Waitangi settlement gave the Whanganui River legal personhood, Turia was appointed to act as its voice in a move she labelled “the most important role of my life”.

Turia was respected by those with various political leanings.

Former Attorney General and ex-Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson saw her as his favourite politician.

In a prior interview with the Herald, Finlayson said “it’s no exaggeration to say I love her”.

Azaria Howell is a Wellington-based multimedia reporter with an eye across the region. She joined NZME in 2022 and has a keen interest in city council decisions, public service agency reform and transport.