Dame Tariana Turia was a transformative Māori leader whose work has shaped the social and political landscape of Aotearoa. A trailblazer in Māori health, wellbeing, and self-determination, she dedicated her life to advocating for whānau, hapū, and iwi, leaving an enduring legacy for future generations.

Born on 8 April 1944, in Pūtiki on the Whanganui River, Dame Tariana was raised by a collective of mentors, including her grandmother and aunties, who instilled in her high expectations and a commitment to do the right thing. This upbringing, grounded in tikanga Māori, shaped her approach to leadership. Throughout her career, she sought guidance from trusted advisors, such as Professor Whatarangi Winiata, and often returned to the River for clarity and encouragement.

Dame Tariana served in Parliament for 18 years, beginning as a Labour MP in 1996 before resigning over the Foreshore and Seabed Act in 2004. Her principled stance led to the formation of the Māori Party, where she served as co-leader until her retirement in 2014 – her parliamentary roles included:

• Associate Minister of Health (1999–2004, 2008–2014)
• Minister for Whānau Ora (2010–2014)
• Minister for Disability Issues (2009–2014)
• Associate Minister of Housing, Social Development, and Education

Her leadership was instrumental in the development of Whānau Ora, a kaupapa and policy empowering Māori and Pasifika families to determine their own pathways to wellbeing. The programme, which started with her vision of self-determination, now boasts over 250 navigators and has supported the establishment of more than 200 family businesses.

Advocacy for the River: Appointed as a voice for the Whanganui River after it was granted legal personhood in 2017, a role she described as “the most important of my life.”

• Community Work: Established New Zealand’s first iwi-led Primary Health Organisation, Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority, which became a model for iwi-led health services nationwide.

Dame Tariana’s visionary leadership earned numerous accolades:

• Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (2015): For services as a Member of Parliament.
• BLAKE Medal (2018): First Māori woman recipient, honouring her transformative impact on Māori health and social policy.
• Te Rangatira mo te Ora Award: For leadership in Māori health, awarded by the New Zealand Public Health Association.
• International Recognition: For her leadership in advocating for Māori self-determination and community resilience.

Dame Tariana embodied manaakitanga, conducting conversations and actions that uplift the mana of others. She was deeply committed to collective leadership, believing that the ability to lead resides within everyone and that effective leadership arises from empowering whānau and communities.

Her approach was guided by tikanga Māori, emphasising the importance of cultural connection, identity, and a shared vision for a better future. In her own words “It’s not about making the popular choice. It’s about making the right choice.”

Dame Tariana, married to George Turia for over 56 years, was a proud mother of six children, 27 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren. Her whānau and mokopuna remained her greatest source of motivation, inspiring her commitment to creating a future where Māori thrive.

Dame Tariana Turia’s leadership reshaped the political and social landscape of Aotearoa. Her tireless advocacy for Whānau Ora, Māori health, and self-determination continues to inspire generations of leaders.  Helen Leahy author of  the biography Crossing the Floor: The Story of Tariana Turia wrote:

What she has done has been transformational for this generation and generations to come. Whaea Tariana was never bolder than tackling the tobacco industry, removing the display counters from public view, introducing plain packaging and setting a national target to be smoke-free by 2025.  As soon as one Bill was lodged, she would be on to the next challenge – what can we do about second-hand smoke? How do we legislate against children being exposed to tobacco fumes in cars? There were other gains – so many – that represent her determination to create a better future for all her mokopuna.  Repealing the Foreshore and Seabed Act, Community Development pilots and Māori health innovation.  A rheumatic fever prevention strategy, and enabling houses to be built on multiply-owned land. An inquiry into cervical screening and ensuring cultural competency was a public service norm.

Esteemed Māori health leader Professor Sir Mason Durie (ONZ, KNZM)[MW2]  wrote in the foreword to her biography:

Few people can deal with pressing problems in the present and, simultaneously build platforms relevant to the future. Tariana Turia has shown how both are possible. Well before entering Parliament, she fostered community cohesion and responsiveness to adversity and disadvantage. She did so in a manner that led to strong, sustainable leadership within her whānau, hapū and iwi and helped generate greater awareness for health and the positive roles communities might play. Then, as a Minister of the Crown, she introduced policies and programmes focused on building for the future. Importantly, she saw whānau as key vehicles for Māori wellbeing in the decades ahead. Moreover, she recognised that focusing only on adversity and disadvantage ran the risk of creating an attitude and a perception of incapacity when what was needed was confidence and a determination to succeed.

Whānau Ora will remain synonymous with Minister Turia. The development, implementation and progression of Whānau Ora would not have occurred without her advocacy, diplomacy and determination. She also persuaded parliamentary colleagues that change was needed and offered a model for change that could influence the whole society. In addition to Whānau Ora, her contribution to social policy across various policies has been groundbreaking. Her support and efforts to ensure health gains for Māori speak for themselves. Shortly before she retired from parliament as Associate Minister of Health, she also launched a refreshed Māori health strategy – Pae Ora – which set out a tripartite approach to health encompassing individuals, whānau and natural and built environments. The latest version is the Pae Ora(Healthy Futures) Act 2022.

The book Crossing the Floor recognises the efforts of Tariana Turia to create a society where Māori potential can be realised and whānau can flourish. Her down-to-earth approach, coupled with her extraordinary ability to relate to all sections of society in frank ways and, at the same time, be inspiring, has provided a style of leadership that can serve as a model for future generations.

Dame Tariana Turia passed away on 3 January 2025 aged 80 years.

Links

Obituary Manawatu Standard 7 January 2025

Radio NZ News 7 January 2025

The Starfish Factor opening address to 2010 National Conference of the New Zealand Family and Foster Care Federation

Minister touts car smoking ban New Zealand Herald Article 23 October 2012

Repeal of Foreshore and Seabed Act announced 15 June 2010

Kainga Whenua Loan Scheme changes 13 October 2012