Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp dies

Thursday, 26 June 2025

The MP for Tāmaki Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, has died, RNZ understands.

The Te Pāti Māori MP was at Parliament on Wednesday before travelling back to Auckland.

She had taken leave from Parliament last year, following a diagnosis of kidney disease.

Kemp recently celebrated her 50th birthday.

She won Tāmaki Makaurau by a slim margin of just four votes over Labour MP Peeni Henare in last year's election. A recount later widened the margin.

Previously she was tumuaki of the Manurewa Marae and a director of Hip Hop International.

Te Pāti Māori has been approached for comment.