The MP for Tāmaki Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, has died at the age of 50.
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 2023. A recount later widened the margin.
Previously she was tumuaki of the Manurewa Marae and a director of Hip Hop International.
Te Pāti Māori confirmed Kemp had died early today.
In a statement, the party said it was "heartbroken", and she "died as she lived: fighting for the cause".
"Takutai Moana devoted every breath to the movement for Māori liberation and worked tirelessly to serve her community of Tāmaki Makaurau."
The party said she continued to stand in the House, on marae, in communities while she navigated her health journey, 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."
The party requested privacy and time and space for Kemp's whānau to "gather, mourn, and celebrate their māmā, their daughter, their nan".
"We wish to take this time to honour our tuahine, to honour her parents, her children, her mokopuna and her whānau.
"Further details regarding her tangihanga and opportunities for the public to pay their respects will be shared once confirmed."
The party also shared a mihi.
"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."
MPs will meet on Thursday afternoon to acknowledge Kemp's death and offer tributes. After that, as a mark of respect, Parliament will adjourn for the remainder of the week.
All flags on the Parliamentary Precinct were flying at half-mast and expected to stay that way for several days.
Kemp's death will trigger a by-election in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was saddened to hear of her death.
Luxon said, on behalf of the government, its thoughts are with her whānau, friends, colleagues, and the Tāmaki Makaurau community
"E te māreikura Takutai, haere atu ki Te Rei, ki Te Reinga, ki ō tūpuna ki te pō."
Former prime minister and Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins posted on social media that it was with "a heavy heart we acknowledge the sudden passing of our colleague and friend".
"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."
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said it was "very sad news".
"Our thoughts and prayers are with her whanau, family, and friends at this very difficult time," he wrote on X.
Deputy Prime Minister and Act leader David Seymour said his party's thoughts were with her whanau and Te Pati Māori colleagues.
"With great sadness @actparty MPs acknowledge the passing of our Parliamentary colleague Takutai Tarsh Kemp," he wrote on social media. "She is gone far too soon."
