Pakaitore Turia

Pakaitore Turia was a New Zealand politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Te Tai Hauāuru from 1999 to 2014.

She was the first Māori woman to be elected as an MP for the Labour Party.

Turia was born in Waiuku, New Zealand, in 1949. She grew up in a poor family and left school at the age of 15 to work in a factory.

She later worked as a nurse and a social worker.

In 1999, Turia was elected as the MP for Te Tai Hauāuru.

She served as the Minister of Whānau Ora from 2008 to 2014.

Turia retired from politics in 2014.

She died on 12 July 2017, at the age of 67.

Turia was a strong advocate for Māori people.

She was a role model for many Māori women.

She will be remembered as a great New Zealand politician.