RIP Adrian Rurawhe

The Herald reports:

Former Speaker of the House Adrian Rurawhe has died this morning at Rātana Pā, his family announced.

Rurawhe was Speaker in the last Labour Government’s second term and was an MP in the Te Tai Hauāuru electorate since 2014.

“Adrian Rurawhe was one of the finest people ever to sit in the New Zealand Parliament,” Labour leader Chris Hipkins said.

“He carried the mana of his people and of the Speaker’s Chair with dignity and respect. He was firm without ever needing to raise his voice, and he was universally respected across every party in the House.“

Members of every party sought his counsel because they knew it would be honest, considered, and given in confidence.

I can’t recall an MP ever saying a bad word about Rurawhe. He was well liked and respected, and will be missed.