Political figures, former colleagues and friends of the late Dame Tariana Turia have paid tribute to the former MP.
Dame Tariana, 80, was an MP for 18 years, having co-founded Te Pāti Māori and served as a minister under both Helen Clark’s Labour and John Key’s National governments.
She suffered a stroke earlier this week and died in Whanganui overnight, her iwi said.
‘Never swayed from her values’ — PM Christopher Luxon
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said “Dame Tariana leaves a significant legacy for Māori and for New Zealand” after years of being a “tireless advocate”.
“Dame Tariana was a principled leader, never swaying from her values and doing what she believed to be right. She was a tireless advocate for the betterment of Māori.
“Among many contributions, she will be remembered for her work establishing the Whānau Ora programme to improve Māori and community wellbeing.
“Dame Tariana leaves a significant legacy for Māori and for New Zealand.
“Dame Tariana’s passing will be felt keenly by her iwi, hapu and whānau, and my thoughts and condolences are with them today,” the PM said in a statement released by his office.
Dame Tariana was ‘driving force’ for mid-90s Labour — Hipkins
Labour leader Chris Hipkins also paid tribute to Dame Tariana after her passing, saying she had been a “driving force” within his party.
“Dame Tariana was a true leader, the very definition of a wāhine toa,” he said.
“She had a strong legacy of service before her parliamentary years, advocating for Māori health, working hard to pave the way for many.
“Through her life, Dame Tariana gave a loud voice to those who were historically and wrongly heard less, particularly those in the Te Tai Hauāuru electorate.
“Dame Tariana was a driving force within the Labour Party in the mid-nineties, and took up roles as an associate minister when Labour came to government in 1999 with the Māori affairs, housing, social services, and health portfolios.”
He added: “Dame Tariana contributed greatly through the course of successive governments, and her relentless commitment to the betterment of Māori and the upholding of Te Tiriti was beyond admirable.”
Dame Tariana initially entered Parliament on the Labour Party list at the 1996 election.
But, following the controversial foreshore and seabed debate in 2003, she said that the then-Labour government’s proposal amounted to a confiscation of Māori land.
By April 2004, she decided to resign over the issue — triggering a byelection in Te Tai Hauāuru — and, alongside Pita Sharples, founded the Māori Party that would become later known as Te Pāti Māori.
‘Against all odds’ — Te Pāti Māori on its co-founder
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said Dame Tariana acted “against all odds” during the foreshore and seabed debate to begin the party.
“Whāea Tariana crossed the floor, against all odds and what was popular, to ensure our people’s voice would never be silenced, exterminated or assimilated,” she said.
“Her legacy will forever be etched in the fabric of our nations history and continue to serve and grow stronger as te iwi Māori mature in this country’s democratic system.
“She is the absolute epitome of strength and steadfast determination and leadership our people needed at a time of great uncertainty.”
She added: “The loss of such a beloved matriarch will leave an irreplaceable void.”
Meanwhile former MP Louisa Wall, who also left Labour after disagreements, said Dame Tariana’s “legacy lives on in the hearts of the nation”.
‘Most principled, dignified’ — former Parliament colleague
ACT leader David Seymour also issued a statement on social media, saying: “Dame Tariana Turia was a warm, gracious woman and a brave, principled leader.
“My thoughts are with her family as she passes on from a life well lived.”
Former MP Peter Dunne, whom Dame Tariana served alongside, said she had been “one of the most principled, dignified and honourable people I have met.”
She served as an MP from 1996, retiring in 2014.
“Very sad news about Dame Tariana Turia,” Dunne posted on social media.
“She was my Parliamentary benchmate for many years, and one of the most principled, dignified and honourable people I have met.
“I admired and respected her greatly. May she rest in peace.”
‘A wicked sense of humour’ — former PM Sir John Key
Former National prime minister Sir John Key told 1News: “She was a trailblazing leader. Kind with humility but a dry and wicked sense of humour. She will be sorely missed.”