New Speaker Rurawhe a Ra¯ tana man
Te Tai Haua¯ uru MP replaces Mallard
Te Tai Hauāuru MP Adrian Rurawhe, whose Ma¯ ori electorate includes Horowhenua, was elected as Parliament’s new Speaker last week with National Party leader Christopher Luxon saying his party supported Rurawhe’s election.
Rurawhe, a Labour MP, was nominated by the Government as the new speaker at 2pm last Wednesday after outgoing Speaker Trevor Mallard’s resignation from the role took effect at 1.45pm.
Rurawhe thanked Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for allowing him to take the role.
“I will carry on the long tradition of upholding the rights and privileges of this house . . . like freedom of speech,” he said.
“We may disagree with each other . . . but it’s really important that those voices are heard.”
He confirmed the Opposition would have the opportunity to hold the Government to account.
Rurawhe (Ngāti Apa) said he had noticed a few things about Question Time that could be improved, which was applauded by many of the Opposition.
“Unfortunately they are numerous.”
The questions the Government asked of itself needed to be shorter and the answers “cut down”.
Rurawhe said he was not an expert on all the rules, but “being fair” was paramount and he would use his own radar to establish what is and isn’t acceptable. There was the opportunity for more robust debate, but it had to be done with fairness.
Rurawhe’s whānau and supporters in the gallery sang a waiata for him.
Ardern, beginning her speech, used a saying invoking Rātana — referencing Rurawhe’s history — as her way to welcome him as Speaker.
Rurawhe is a grandson of Matiu and Iriaka Rātana, who were both MPs for the former Western Māori electorate. He is a great-grandson of Rātana founder TW Rātana.
Ardern said she placed priority on the ability of Rurawhe to use a “light touch and a firm hand” when acting as Speaker.
She believed the House could be satisfied Rurawhe would act fairly.
Luxon gave Rurawhe a warm welcome to the role, saying it was not surprising he was elected to the role given his legacy.
Luxon hoped Rurawhe would reflect on his achievements and celebrate with his wha¯nau. He was sure Rurawhe would act with integrity and, as such, there wasn’t a need to propose someone to contest the position.
Greens co-leader Marama Davidson wished Rurawhe the best of luck upholding kaupapa Māori tikanga within Parliament, despite the challenges that entailed.
Rurawhe was deputy Speaker and will be the second Māori to be Speaker — the first was the late Sir Peter Tapsell who held the role between 1993 and 1996 under Jim Bolger’s National government.
Rurawhe was nominated without challenge in the House and upon confirmation was greeted with a standing ovation by all MPs.