Takutai Tarsh Kemp has sadly passed away. 1975 – 26 June 2025
Haere, haere, haere atu rā
Haere ki te pō, ki te ao o te hunga wairua
Haere ki te huihuinga o ngā mātua tūpuna
Ki te kāhui tūpuna kua whetūrangitia
Kua tangihia koe, kua mihia koe
Kua whakanuia tō haerenga
Moe mai rā i te korowai o te aroha
Moe mai rā i te pūkohu o te rangimārie
E te wairua, kia tau, kia tau
Kia hoki koe ki te kāinga tūturu
Ko te ao wairua tēnā, ko te wāhi ngū
Haere rā, moe mai rā, okioki atu rā
“Mahuta mai rā ko Matariki, ko Pūanga i Te Tahi o te Tau. Maiea Te Waka o Rangi, maiea Taramainuku kia ruiruia ngā mate nui o te wā. Auē te mamae e ngau kino nei i te ngākau e Takutai Moana, kua riro ki te pō uriuri, ki te pō tangotango ki a Mairerangi, ki Te Pūtahi-nui-a-Rehua noho ai. Takoto mai rā i te pūtahitanga o ngā maunga whakahī kia haoa e Te Kupenga nui a Taramainuku hai whetū ririki i te pō.
Te Pāti Māori is heartbroken to confirm that our tuahine, Member of Parliament for Tāmaki Makaurau, Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp, passed away in the early hours of this morning, 26 June 2025.
Takutai Moana devoted every breath to the movement for Māori liberation and worked tirelessly to serve her community of Tāmaki Makaurau.
As she navigated her health journey, she continued to stand in the House, on our marae, in our communities and she always stood up for our mokopuna.
As a movement, we are devastated by this news. Takutai was more than a colleague to us, she was our sister, and we loved her dearly.
We wish to take this time to honour our tuahine, to honour her parents, her children, her mokopuna and her whānau. We ask our people and the media to recognise the depth of their grief and to give them time and space to gather, mourn, and celebrate their māmā, their daughter, their nan.
Further details regarding her tangihanga and opportunities for the public to pay their respects will be shared once confirmed. In the meantime, we ask media to respect the privacy of her whānau.”
Local Manurewa MP Arena Williams has said: “Today we mourn the loss of Takutai Tarsh Kemp, MP for Tāmaki Makaurau – a wahine who carried the cares of her people with dignity and fought for a future grounded in Te Tiriti. Moe mai rā e te rangatira. For our whānau in Manurewa and South Auckland, this is a moment to pause and hold each other close. Grief will sit heavy, but our strength has always come from how we care for one another. Look after your wairua, your tinana, your kaumātua, and your pēpi. Check in on your friends. Look after each other well, don’t keep putting off the doctors appointment, and keep talking to each other. We will keep showing up for everyone in our community, keep listening, and keep working for what matters – the wellbeing of our whānau.”
Prime Minister Luxon has said: “I am saddened to hear of the passing of Takutai Tarsh Kemp. On behalf of the Government, our thoughts are with her whānau, friends, colleagues, and the Tāmaki Makaurau community.”
Tarsh Kemp, born Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp, she hails from a rich tapestry of iwi including Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngā Iwi o Mōkai Pātea, Ngāti Tamakōpiri, Ngāti Whitikaupeka, Ngāi Te Ohuake, Ngāti Hauiti, Ngāti Hinemanu, and Ngāti Paki. Raised by her grandparents at Takirau marae in South Taranaki during her formative years, she later lived in Palmerston North and Auckland. At the University of Auckland, she delved into anthropology, health, education, and mātauranga Māori-preparing the cultural and academic foundations for her future community-led career. Kemp has spent over a decade empowering rangatahi (Māori youth). Notably:
- Founded and led the Rangatahi Mental Health Youth Hub in partnership with the University of Auckland, steering it as Chief Executive for 13 years to tackle alarmingly high Māori youth suicide rates
- Served as Director of Hip Hop International NZ and Auckland manager for Street Dance New Zealand-pioneering platforms for youth expression and cultural empowerment
- From 2007-2015 led Sziah Dance Academy, becoming the first Aotearoa crew to qualify for the World Hip Hop Championships in the U.S.
- Oversaw Manurewa Marae as CEO and emerged as a Bastion of public health messaging during COVID‑19, championing vaccine equity in South Auckland
- In 2021, recognised as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to youth and street dance.
Former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has said: “It is with a heavy heart we acknowledge the sudden passing of our colleague and friend Takutai Tarsh Kemp. Our thoughts are with her whanau and our colleagues of Te Pāti Māori at this sad time. Nō reira okioki mai na koe e te tuahine, e te hoa.”
Winston Peters has saidL “Very sad news to hear of the passing of Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp. Our thoughts and prayers are with her whanau, family, and friends at this very difficult time.”
Tarsh was elected as MP for the seat of Tamaki Makaurau at the last election. Tash Kemp transitioned to national politics in 2023:
- Ran as Te Pāti Māori’s candidate for the Tāmaki Makaurau Māori electorate.
- Won by an exceptionally tight margin of 42 votes over Labour’s Peeni Henare, after a recount confirmed final result
- Appointed in December 2023 to the Social Services & Community Select Committee, adding Social Development, Whānau Ora, Disabilities, Mental Health, and Family Violence to her parliamentary portfolios.
Kemp’s parliamentary presence reflects her unwavering passion for whānau, youth, health, and te Tiriti o Waitangi. Heralding her slogan, “Our youth are the leaders of today,” she remains a staunch advocate for tino rangatiratanga and community wellbeing.
As of June 2025, Kemp is vocal on key issues-from championing Māori-led health initiatives to advocating for sexual violence protections, mental health equity, and cross-community solidarity-including participation in recent pro‑Palestine rallies.
In July 2024, Kemp disclosed a diagnosis of kidney disease, embarking on a six-week treatment leave-demonstrating both vulnerability and resolve. She returned to Parliament renewed and dedicated to her whānau and political Kaupapa.
