Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp has died.
Kemp revealed in July last year that she was battling kidney disease, and announced plans to take a six-week break from Parliament to focus on her recovery.
The 50-year-old had been on dialysis as she battled the disease. She was on a waiting list for a replacement kidney and her death came as a surprise to those close to her.
The party released a statement on Thursday morning, saying it was “heartbroken” to confirm news of the death of “our sister” in the early hours of this morning.
Her death will trigger a byelection in the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate.
Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee said there would be an opportunity for tributes from MPs today, but Question Time in Parliament had been cancelled.
All flags on the Parliamentary Precinct were flying at half-mast and expected to stay that way for several days.
Kemp would likely be at Hoani Waititi Marae for a period, before heading home to Taihape where she was from.
Te Pāti Māori ‘heartbroken’
Te Pāti Māori MPs said they were “heartbroken” by Kemp’s death.
In a post to social media, they confirmed their colleague had died “in the early hours of this morning”.
“She died as she lived; fighting for the cause, in service to her iwi, hapū and whānau,” the MPs said in a statement on social media.
“Takutai devoted every breath to the movement for Māori liberation. Even as serious illness weighed on her, she continued to stand in the House, in our homes, on our marae and in our communities; relentlessly championing the rights and wellbeing of our people.”
The MPs said they were “devastated” by news of her death: “Takutai was more than a colleague to us, she was our sister and we loved her dearly.”
Speaking about her kidney disease diagnosis, Kemp said on social media last year: “For some time now, I have been feeling unwell and after undergoing thorough testing, I have been diagnosed with kidney disease.”
The first-term MP said she was “fully committed” to recovery.
“As part of this process, I will be taking a leave of absence for the next six weeks to focus on my health and wellbeing.”
Politicians pay tribute
Politicians from across the political spectrum paid tribute to Kemp.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was saddened by her passing and extended condolences to her whānau and the Tāmaki Makaurau community.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins posted: “It is with a heavy heart we acknowledge the sudden passing of our colleague and friend… Nō reira okioki mai na koe e te tuahine, e te hoa.”
Deputy Prime Minister and ACT leader David Seymour wrote “She is gone far too soon… Farewell, and may you rest in peace.”
NZ First leader Winston Peters also shared his condolences on Facebook, sending “thoughts and prayers” to Kemp’s loved ones.
Election recount
Kemp had been on dialysis as she battled kidney disease. (Source: 1News)
She was elected the MP for the Māori electorate of Tāmaki Makaurau as a first-time candidate in 2023.
Kemp narrowly defeated Labour’s Peeni Henare after a recount of the votes. On election night she won by just four votes, but this margin was increased to 42 after the recount.
In 2023, Kemp spoke to Te Karere about the outcome, saying it was an emotional time for her as well as her community.
“It’s a relief to know that, officially, we can celebrate, and say that we’re the new MP of Tāmaki Makaurau.
“We’re here now, we can actually get in there and mahia te mahi (do the work).”
As an MP, Kemp served on the Social Services and Community select committee.
If a Te Pāti Māori candidate wins the byelection, the party keeps its total at 6 MPs. But if Peeni Henare – who is already a list MP for Labour – stands and wins the seat for his party, then he becomes an electorate MP and therefore Labour would be able to bring their next person on the list who is Georgie Dansey, a unionist. Labour would go from 34 to 35 seats.
If another party wins the byelection, there would be no change to the overall number of MPs in Parliament. In all scenarios the number of MPs in parliament remains at 123 as a result of the overhang.
Recently, she attended a birthday lunch on June 20 celebrating her 50th birthday.
“We did this for our whānau. As I age gracefully so do my aunties & uncles and I realise we don’t celebrate together enough. Remembering our loved ones who have pased on & reminding ourselves to stay well for our mokopuna as we nuture them for the future,” she wrote online.
Just three days ago, she took to social media to decry the Brian Tamaki-led protest against foreign religions that was staged in Auckland’s Queen St.
The MP described the public display as a “parade of hate”.
“This was a hate parade — a direct attack on queer people, immigrants, Palestinians, and anyone who does not conform to a narrow, exclusionary interpretation of Christianity as guided by a self-proclaimed apostle,” she said on Facebook.
“Aotearoa must be a place where every person is safe to live, love, and worship, or not worship – as they choose.
“There is no place here for the weaponisation of Te Ao Māori — of our haka, our karakia, or the moko kanohi of our tūpuna,” she wrote.
