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Parliament unites in grief as tributes flow for Takutai Tarsh Kemp

Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp. Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers In her final hours, Takutai Tarsh Kemp was calling members of her community, offering her service to the kaupapa. In her final speech to Parliament - just days earlier - the Tāmaki Makaurau MP spoke of fairness and manaakitanga: "Te Pāti Māori leaves no one behind." That was how MPs remembered Kemp on Thursday : a servant leader, a beautiful soul, a champion for her people. The news broke shortly after 8am, as MPs were going about their usual business. As the justice committee closed its session at 9am, chair Andrew Bayly noted they would not reconvene due to "information we've just received". That information came as a shock to many of those who worked alongside Kemp. Kemp had been open about her battle with kidney disease , announcing it in July last year. Some at Parliament knew her health had been faltering. But Kemp was in the building just the day before, attending Question Time, and she had spoken with passion in the debating chamber the day before that. On Wednesday, she had sat and talked with Labour's Peeni Henare and his youth MP for an hour, reflecting on their relationship as both rivals and comrades. Labour MP Peeni Henare speaks at Parliament as MPs honour Takutai Tarsh Kemp. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Te Pāti Māori's MPs were not at Parliament on Thursday, which also happened to be the first day since the end of the co-leaders three-week suspension. Instead, the caucus understandably disbanded to be with whānau. They spoke as a caucus earlier that morning; co-leader Rawiri Waititi described emotions as being raw. President John Tamihere notified others across Parliament. In the afternoon, MPs from other parties convened to pay tribute , a procedure now sadly familiar to them following the death of Fa'anānā Efeso Collins in February last year. The flags flew at half mast; a floral tribute sat at Kemp's desk in the chamber. A tribute in Parliament House after the death of Tāmaki Makaurau MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp of Te Pāti Māori on 26 June, 2025. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone As in the aftermath of Collins' passing, MPs put their differences aside, sharing their reflections and experiences. They clutched earpieces to the sides of their heads to hear the speeches translated as many spoke predominately in te reo: National's Tama Potaka, Henare, the Greens' Teanau Tuiono, and NZ First's Shane Jones. National's Tama Potaka speaks in Parliament, as MPs remember Takutai Tarsh Kemp. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The speeches touched on her legacy - her advocacy for young people and South Auckland. Potaka dubbed Kemp "rangatira" of "rangatahi" and captain of the dance crew, a reference to her time at the top of Hip Hop International NZ. Greens' co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick spoke of her conviction: "[She] knew who she was, where she came from, and what she was fighting for." Chloe Swarbrick speaks at a tribute for Te Pati Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp after her death on 26 June, 2025. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone And ACT's David Seymour echoed the sentiment: "She left no doubt about what she was here to do and who she was here to serve." A recurring theme was the unity felt in grief - the politics put aside. Temporarily forgotten was the fierce battle over the Tāmaki Makaurau seat in 2023, similarly, the serious allegations levelled over the Manurewa marae and its handling of private data. Swarbrick acknowledged how "love and integrity" could be great stabilisers at such times. Jones paid respect to Kemp's contribution. "Yes, politics is a contest, but at the base of politics is the pursuit of humanity," he said. New Zealand First MP Shane Jones speaks at a tribute for Te Pati Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp after her death on 26 June, 2025. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone But it was Labour's Willie Jackson who best articulated the "special moment" as speakers put their disagreements on pause. In many ways, he said, it captured the nature of Māori politics. "We just can go to war sometimes... we can destroy each other, and then - you wouldn't think it was the same people - we'll be having a cup of tea and a kai out the back at the marae." Labour MPs (from left) Carmel Sepuloni, Willie Jackson, and Peeni Henare speak at Parliament on the death of Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp. Photo: RNZ / Sam Rillstone Jackson pointed to Henare's evident emotion - his lament - alongside the passionate Tāmaki Makaurau contest. "That's the difference with Māori politics," Jackson said. "We will always be tied by our toto, by our whakapapa, and by our identity." Kemp's death will now trigger a by-election in that Tāmaki Makaurau electorate - and MPs may well go to war once more - but that is a consideration for another day. The tributes closed with a waiata, Whakaaria Mai, the whole House on its feet, and then a moment's silence before Parliament rose early. On the floor of the House, there were hugs and hongi, Henare the most frequent recipient, as he held a tissue to his face and wiped away tears. Unity in grief. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.