Politicians across the country are paying tribute to Te Pāti Māori co-founder, leader and long-serving MP Dame Tariana Turia following her death.

Turia passed away in the early hours of this morning, aged 80.

Turia served as a minister under both Labour and National Governments and was an MP for 18 years.

The wāhine Māori political leader first entered Parliament as a Labour list MP in 1996, a year after leading the 79-day Moutua Gardens protest in Whanganui.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Turia had made a “significant contribution” to New Zealand.

Dame Tariana Turia made a significant contribution for Māori and to New Zealand as an MP, Minister and political leader.

Among many things, she will be remembered for her work establishing Whānau Ora, and for always being guided strongly by her principles.

My thoughts and…

— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) January 2, 2025

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said Turia “was a true leader, the very definition of a wāhine toa”.

“She had a strong legacy of service before her parliamentary years, advocating for Māori health, working hard to pave the way for many.

Tariana Turia speaking to media while attending the Waitangi Tribunal urgent hearing into state asset sales at the Waiwhetu Marae in Lower Hutt, 2012. Photo / Mark Mitchell

“Through her life, Dame Tariana gave a loud voice to those who were historically and wrongly heard less, particularly those in the Te Tai Hauāuru electorate.

Hipkins said the results from Turia’s work “will ripple” for decades to come.

“The Labour Party sends condolences to Dame Tariana’s many whānau. May she rest now, with her loving husband George,” Hipkins said.

Former politician Peter Dunne spoke to Newstalk ZB about the passing of his former “parliamentary benchmate”.

“She was certainly a highly principled person and had a huge sense of what was right and wrong,” he said.

“She was able to achieve a lot through that time as a minister.”

Tariana Turia with John Key. Photo / Ross Setford, NZPA

Very sad news about Dame Tāriana Turia. She was my Parliamentary benchmate for many years, and one of the most principled, dignified and honourable people I have met. I admired and respected her greatly. May she rest in peace.

— Peter Dunne (@honpeterdunne) January 2, 2025

Labour Party MP Willie Jackson said, “We must never forget her courage and commitment, He Mana Wahine, He Wahine Toa.”

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper spoke to Newstalk ZB’s Roman Travers about Turia’s time in parliament and determination for the “betterment of Māori”.

“She was a woman with a great sense of humour, quite a wicked sense of humour. I shared quite a number of laughs with her over the years,” Soper said.

“She was very much a force to be reckoned with in parliament.”

Former Attorney General and ex-Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson saw her as his favourite politician.

In a prior interview with the Herald, Finlayson said “it’s no exaggeration to say I love her”.

During her tenure in Parliament, Turia was responsible for the creation of wellbeing agency Whānau Ora, something she has later admitted she feels a sense of pride about.

She retired from politics in 2014.

Deputy Prime Minister and ACT Party leader David Seymour said “Turia was a warm, gracious woman and a brave, principled leader.”

“My thoughts are with her family as she passes on from a life well lived, Ngā mihi nui.”

Turia was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services as an MP, in the 2015 New Year Honours.

At the time, Turia considered turning down the honour.

“In the first instance I thought I might not take it but they [her whānau] said it’s not really for me, it’s for our whānau, hapū and iwi - for all the people I have worked alongside,” she said.

When a Treaty of Waitangi settlement gave the Whanganui River legal personhood, Turia was appointed to act as its voice in a move she labelled “the most important role of my life”.