Former Speaker and Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe gives his valedictory speech to MPs in Parliament. Photo / VNP
By Louis Collins of RNZ
With the 2026 General Election looming, Parliament has begun the ritual of farewell speeches from MPs choosing not to contest another term.
Known in parliamentary parlance as valedictory statements, the year’s first was delivered this week by former Speaker of the House Adrian Rurawhe – albeit reluctantly.
Although this parliamentary term has already seen six valedictory statements (and nearly twice as many departures), election years tend to bring a cascade of them, as MPs decide to hang their boots up. Rurawhe leaves Parliament with the honorific “Right Honourable”, a distinction few MPs can claim – it is now awarded only to prime ministers, speakers, chief justices and governors-general.
Despite that honorific, the former MP for Te Tai Hauāuru does not seek the limelight and did not want a valedictory. He told MPs that, when he informed his Labour caucus colleagues of his retirement, he said he would “leave quietly” and skip the speech altogether.
“I can tell you, if you want to upset 33 Labour MPs, tell them you’re not doing a valedictory speech… I don’t think I’ve ever upset so many people so quickly.”
Not one to ignore instructions from the leader, even on his way out, Rurawhe said Labour leader Chris Hipkins insisted that he deliver a valedictory speech.
“I will deliver a speech, but I did not write a speech, so whatever comes out of my mouth... and there are plenty of stories I could tell, just [about] the people sitting in this room.”
Rurawhe held the Te Tai Hauāuru seat from 2014-23, when he chose not to stand as an electorate MP again. That decision came from the presumption that, if he retained the role of Speaker, he would not be able to serve the electorate to the extent he felt he should, particularly given its size, diversity and the number of iwi.
“Te Tai Hauāuru is vast – it’s the biggest electorate in the North Island. It’s as big as Taiwan.
“It’s diverse. It has an urban area, Porirua.
“It has provincial cities like Palmerston North, Whanganui, New Plymouth. It has rural towns and a lot of farming areas.
“Within there, there is also a diverse range of iwi that I got to engage with.”
Rurawhe then proceeded to recite the very long list of iwi within Te Tai Hauāuru.
As is probably the case with most MPs who have gone on to presiding roles, Rurawhe never had a stint in the Speaker’s Chair on his bingo card. Nevertheless, that’s where his party felt his composure, amiability and leadership experience could best be utilised.
Speaking on Wednesday evening, he reflected on redefining political success beyond Cabinet.
“Of course, we all want to be ministers, but not everyone can be and there are valuable roles outside of that as well. If you’re a true team player, you will do whatever is the best for your party.
“I’m not just talking about my party, but it’s probably a good lesson for everyone to learn, because you never actually know where [these roles] might lead to. I certainly didn’t.”
“I pinch myself almost every day and, you know, wonder how this guy from Rātana Pā gets to be the Speaker of this House.”
Calm humility is a fixture of the Rurawhe brand. His long reluctance to engage in politicking earned respect and goodwill across the House, particularly during his time as Speaker. His predecessor and successor, by comparison, have more adversarial histories.
While some departing MPs use their final speech to burn bridges, Rurawhe chose to acknowledge political opponents that he had worked with in his decade or so as an MP.
“I also want to mention the National Party MPs that I got on really well with, actually.
Ian McKelvie – now, I knew Ian before I came into Parliament. He was so easy to work with, and we could have really good discussions and do the best for our respective electorates.
“Louise Upston – I really enjoyed working with Louise. I remember that we co-hosted the South Waikato event – actually, from Tokoroa – down here at Parliament.
“That was an excellent kaupapa to be involved with.
“I worked with Jonathan Young on the Waitara Lands Act and there’s Barbara Kuriger in Taranaki-King Country, who is the Deputy Speaker.”
Rurawhe went on to name and thank the many people who worked in his parliamentary and electorate offices, and the parliamentary staff who supported him during his tenure as Speaker.
Rurawhe’s formal final day at Parliament will be Waitangi Day. Hamilton-based unionist Georgie Dansey will replace him for the remainder of the sitting year.
Expect to see a steady stream of farewells as the election nears. Celia Wade-Brown (Greens), Paulo Garcia (National), Maureen Pugh (National and Judith Collins (National) have announced 2026 departures.
- RNZ