Dame Tariana Turia, former MP and government minister, has passed away at the age of 80. Video / Corey Fleming
Opinion by Dr Areti Metuamate
Dr Areti Metuamate (Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Hauā) is an educational leader and political scientist currently based in Melbourne, Australia.
The Te Pāti Māori co-founder was an MP for 18 years.
Turia was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2015 New Year Honours.
New Zealand will never see the likes of Dame Tariana Turia again. Her passing represents not just the loss of a great leader but the closing of a chapter in Māori and New Zealand politics that will echo for generations.
Dame Tariana – or Whaea Tari,as I called her – was undoubtedly one of the most influential Māori voices of our lifetime. She embodied the mana of her people, speaking truths others were too fearful to utter and achieving changes others deemed impossible. Her conviction, courage and compassion made her one of the most significant leaders of our time – probably the greatest Māori politician of my lifetime.
I first met Whaea Tari as a young boy at Hato Paora College, where she often visited. Even then, her presence was magnetic. She was kind yet fierce, warm yet commanding. Over the years, she became a mentor and role model. Her wisdom shaped my understanding of Māori leadership, the political sphere and my sense of responsibility to my iwi and country.
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
Dame Tariana’s legacy is vast. She gave voice to the voiceless, fighting tirelessly for Māori self-determination, equity and collective care and responsibility. Her controversial decision to leave the Labour Party over the foreshore and seabed legislation in 2004 was a watershed moment in New Zealand’s political history. It was a courageous act that led to the formation of the Māori Party – now a movement with more grassroots support among Māori than any similar party in our history.
Her influence extended far beyond the political arena. Whānau Ora, one of her signature achievements, redefined how social services could be delivered to empower whānau and communities. She believed deeply in the strength and wisdom of whānau, and her policies reflected that conviction. While many Māori were critical of the Māori Party’s decision to be part of a National-led government under Sir John Key, the policy gains and significant budget allocations they managed to negotiate speak for themselves. Politics often requires compromise without sacrificing who you are, or your core values. And while she had to compromise, including on things she really did not want to, Dame Tariana stood strong in who she was and what she stood for, throughout her political career.
But Dame Tariana’s greatness wasn’t just in her achievements – it was in how she carried herself. She was unapologetically Māori, never compromising her values or identity. She led with quiet dignity and immense aroha, always prioritising people over politics. Her speeches were infused with both intellect and emotion, and she spoke not just to her audience but for them. She had a vision for the future Māori, and of New Zealand, and articulated it so well.
Dame Tariana Turia's spirit will remain in the work we do and the values we uphold. Photo / Bevan Conley
Her passing leaves a void that feels insurmountable. Aotearoa has lost a leader of unparalleled integrity, and many of us have lost a mentor and guiding light. For me, her impact is personal and profound. She taught me that true leadership is not about power or prestige but about service – lifting others and paving the way for those who come after.
As we who knew her mourn Dame Tariana, we must honor her legacy by continuing her work. The things she fought for – anti-racism, whānau-centered policy, honouring our history, nation-building, and Māori self-determination – are far from over. Her life reminds us of what is possible when we stand firm in our beliefs and act with courage and conviction.
Dame Tariana Turia may no longer walk among us, but her spirit will remain in the work we do and the values we uphold. As we say goodbye, we stand alongside her grieving whānau to carry her legacy forward, ensuring her vision for a stronger, fairer Aotearoa/New Zealand lives on.
E te māreikura, e te rangatira, e te whaea, moe mai rā. Chiefly woman, great leader, mother (of your children and your people), may you now rest.
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