Adrian Rurawhe

Adrian Paki Rurawhe (born 1960/1961) is a New Zealand politician of Ngāti Apa descent and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives (MP). He was first elected at the 2014 general election as a representative of the Labour Party for Te Tai Hauāuru and was re-elected in 2017.

Adrian Rurawhe

MP
Rurawhe in 2016
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Te Tai Hauāuru
Assumed office
20 September 2014
Preceded byTariana Turia
Majority1,453
Second Assistant Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives
Assumed office
8 November 2017
Preceded byTrevor Mallard
Personal details
Born1960/1961 (age 58–59)
RelationsMatiu Ratana (grandfather)
Iriaka Ratana (grandmother)
T. W. Ratana (great-grandfather)
Websitehttp://www.labour.org.nz/adrianrurawhe

Family and professional career

Rurawhe is a grandson of Matiu and Iriaka Ratana, who were both MPs for Western Maori. He is a great grandson of Rātana founder T. W. Ratana.[1]

His grandfather died before he was born, and he was at secondary school before he was aware that his "Nan" was an MP. Koro Wetere the former Eastern Maori MP encouraged his early involvement in politics and continues to be a mentor for him, so has been the most influential person on him politically. [2]

Rurawhe has a background in health and education.[3] He was the chairman of the Ngāti Apa iwi for ten years[3] and was on the team that negotiated the 2011 treaty settlement with The Crown through the Waitangi Tribunal.[4]

Political career
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2014–2017 51st Te Tai Hauāuru none Labour
2017–present 52nd Te Tai Hauāuru none Labour

Rurawhe worked alongside Tariana Turia, to whom he is related, when she was still a member of the Labour Party.[3] He was a member of the Māori Party between 2004 and 2008.[5]

At the 2014 election, after Turia had retired from politics, Rurawhe contested the Te Tai Hauāuru electorate for Labour and defeated Chris McKenzie of the Māori Party[3][6]) He defended his incumbency with an increased majority over the Māori Party's Howie Tamati in 2017.[7][8]

Rurawhe was elected to the office of Assistant Speaker at the State Opening of Parliament, the 52nd Parliament of New Zealand. National party member Hon Simon Bridges tried challenging Rurawhe's election to the Chair on grounds that Rurawhe's name was still on the door of the Whip's office. Speaker Trevor Mallard ruled that a name on a door in Parliament is not binding on the House and that the Speaker's office had already been notified in writing that Rurawhe was not a Whip, so the election could proceed.[9]

References
  1. Stowell, Laurel (17 December 2013). "Rurawhe new Labour candidate". Wanganui Chronicle. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  2. Interview in Dominion Post, 31 January 2015 p C5
  3. Ihaka, James (22 September 2014). "Election 2014: Rurawhe has big shoes to fill". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  4. "Settlement". Ngāti Apa. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  5. Small, Vernon (6 December 2013). "Ratana progeny likely candidate". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  6. "Rurawhe regains seat for Labour". Stuff (Fairfax). 27 September 2014.
  7. "MP plans to stand for reelection in 2017". Stuff (Fairfax). 18 January 2016.
  8. "Official Count Results – Te Tai Hauauru". Wellington: New Zealand Electoral Commission. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  9. "Read Hansard Reports". Retrieved 9 November 2017.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
Tariana Turia		 Member of Parliament for Te Tai Hauāuru
2014–present		 Incumbent
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