Adrienne Staples, a New Zealand politician and former mayor of South Wairarapa, died on April 19, 2026, aged 69–70.
Born in Featherston in 1956 or 1957, she served as mayor of South Wairarapa from 2004 to 2016, becoming the district’s first female mayor. She was later elected to the Greater Wellington Regional Council, where she served as deputy-chair after her election in 2017 and was re-elected to the role in 2022.
Staples also served on the Featherston community board and ran a small manufacturing business in Featherston and a Wellington IT consulting company. In 2017, she was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government for her promotion of Japanese–New Zealand friendship and mutual understanding.
Adrienne Staples, 69–70, New Zealand politician, mayor of South Wairarapa (2004–2016) and member of the Greater Wellington Regional Council (since 2016).