Tariana Turia

Dame Tariana Turia DNZM (née Woon; 8 April 1944 – 3 January 2025) was a New Zealand Māori rights activist and politician. She was first elected to Parliament in 1996 as a member of the Labour Party. In 2002, she was re-elected to parliament as a member of the Māori Party. From 2004 to 2014, Turia was the Co-leader of the Māori Party.

The Honourable Dame Tariana Turia DNZM
Turia in 2018
1st Minister for Whānau Ora
In office 8 April 2010 – 8 October 2014
Prime Minister	John Key
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Te Ururoa Flavell
2nd Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector
In office 15 August 2002 – 30 April 2004
Prime Minister	Helen Clark
Preceded by	Steve Maharey
Succeeded by	Rick Barker
In office 19 November 2008 – 12 December 2011
Prime Minister	John Key
Preceded by	Ruth Dyson
Succeeded by	Jo Goodhew
Minister for Disability Issues
In office 13 June 2009 – 8 October 2014
Prime Minister	John Key
Preceded by	Paula Bennett
Succeeded by	Nicky Wagner
Co-leader of the Māori Party
In office 7 July 2004 – September 2014 Co-leading with Pita Sharples
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Marama Fox
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Labour Party List
In office 12 October 1996 – 27 July 2002
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Te Tai Hauāuru
In office 27 July 2002 – 20 September 2014
Preceded by	Nanaia Mahuta
Succeeded by	Adrian Rurawhe
Personal details
Born	(1944-04-08)8 April 1944
Died	3 January 2025(2025-01-03) (aged 80) Whangaehu, New Zealand
Political party	Māori Party (from 2004)
Other political affiliations	Labour (until 2004)
Spouse(s)	George Turia ​ ​ (m. 1962; died 2019)​
Children	4

Turia died in Whangaehu, New Zealand on 3 January 2025, at the age of 80, after having a stroke.