Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp has died aged 50 following kidney disease.

The Tāmaki Makaurau electorate MP and former Manurewa Marae chief executive announced her diagnosis in July 2024.

A statement from Te Pāti Māori said the party was “heartbroken” to confirm news of their MP’s death early this morning.

“Takutai devoted every breath to the movement for Maori liberation. Even as serious illness weighed on her, she continued to stand in the House, in our homes, on our marae, and in our communities; relentlessly championing the rights and wellbeing of our people,” Te Pāti Māori said.

“She died as she lived: fighting for the cause, in service to her iwi, hapu and whanau.”

The party said it was “devastated” by the news, with Kemp being “more than a colleague to us”.

“She was our sister and we loved her deeply.”

Further details about her tangihanga and opportunities for the public to pay their respects will be shared once confirmed. The party asked for privacy.

Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp – Manurewa Marae. 08 December 2021 New Zealand Herald photograph by Michael Craig

Speaker Gerry Brownlee confirmed the House would briefly meet before lifting out of respect for Kemp.

“At 2pm today the House will resume and acknowledge with the deepest sadness the passing overnight of Tāmaki Makaurau MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp (Te Pāti Māori),” Brownlee said.

“Following the formal notification to Parliament, there will be the opportunity for tributes from other MPs.

“At the conclusion of this as a mark of respect, the House will lift for the remainder of the day.

“All flags on the Parliamentary Precinct are flying at half-mast and will continue to do so for a number of days.”

Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi’s suspensions from Parliament ended last night, meaning both will be allowed back to Parliament today to pay tribute to Kemp if they wish.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is currently in Europe said he was “saddened” by the news.

“On behalf of the Government, our thoughts are with her whānau, friends, colleagues, and the Tāmaki Makaurau community,” Luxon said.

Speaking of her diagnosis in July 2024, Kemp said: “For some time now, I have been feeling unwell and after undergoing thorough testing, I have been diagnosed with kidney disease. As part of this process, I will be taking a leave of absence for the next six weeks to focus on my health and wellbeing.”

A by-election will now be triggered in the Māori seat of Tāmaki Makaurau, for which Kemp was the MP. The Governor-General must issue a writ to the Electoral Commission to begin making arrangements for a by-election on the advice of the prime minister.

Kemp won the seat at the 2023 election over the incumbent, Labour’s Peeni Henare. Her margin of victory was just 42 votes.

Kemp was in the House in Parliament yesterday during Question Time, sitting next to Takuta Ferris in the spots usually reserved for the co-leaders.

Behind the scenes at the vaccine centre at Manurewa Marae. Since the marae has opened its vaccination centre, they've been vaccinating up to 500 people a week. LtoR Hilda Peters - Site manager, Rangi McLean and Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp the marae CEO. NZ Herald Photo by Alex Burton 23 June 2021

Acting Prime Minister David Seymour said Kemp was “gone far too soon”.

“Our thoughts are with her whanau and Te Pati Māori colleagues. Farewell, and may you rest in peace,” Seymour said.

Winston Peters, the Foreign Affairs Minister, said it was “very sad news” to hear of the MP’s passing.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with her whanau, family, and friends at this very difficult time.”

The Kidney Society expressed its sadness about Kemp’s death.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to her whānau and all who loved her. Takutai was a valued member of our community, having utilised one of our community dialysis houses before passing away after a sustained battle with kidney disease.”

Community advocate Dave Letele told Ryan Bridge on Herald NOW that Kemp’s death was “very sad”. He said he had been informed of the news earlier this morning.

“Before being an MP, she had done so much work in the community. And we’d worked right through Covid and vaccinations, and she was a pillar there, especially in Manurewa,” Letele said.

Letele said he’d caught up with her at a cafe a couple of weeks ago and she told him she was doing well.

“She looked well and she talked about how hard it was being down in Parliament. And she said to me, ‘do not even think about coming down here. Our people need you here in the community’,” Letele said.

Labour MPs Carmel Sepuloni, Willie Jackson, Peeni Henare and Arena Williams held a press stand-up to mourn Kemp.

Henare, wiping back tears, said that just last week, Kemp was “really excited to get home to spend it with her mokopuna” for the Matariki holiday.

“It’s truly shocking,” Henare said, adding that despite campaigning against each other last election, he called Kemp “sister” and she called him “brother”.

Jackson described her as “a beautiful soul”.

Sepuloni said Labour’s Māori caucus was “feeling it”.

According to Hansard, Parliament’s record of speeches in the House, Kemp’s final speech was on a piece of Government legislation intended to improve the immigration system.

In that speech this week, she spoke of how “Te Pāti Māori leaves no one behind” and urged the Government to rethink its immigration policy “in line with Te Tiriti o Waitangi and with the values of fairness, manaakitanga, and rangatiratanga”.

Just five days ago, Kemp posted photos of herself celebrating her 50th birthday on Instagram.

“We did this for our whānau. As i age gracefully so do my aunties & uncles and I realise we don’t celebrate together enough. Remembering our loved ones who have pased on & reminding ourselves to stay well for our mokopuna as we nurture them for the future [sic],” the post read.

She thanked everyone who had helped make the celebration happen, ending with “Whānau Are Foreva”.

Kemp is the second MP to die during this Parliament. Green MP Efeso Collins died in 2024.

MORE TO COME