New Zealand mourns Māori king
Tributes have flowed for the king of New Zealand’s Indigenous Māori people Tūheitia Paki, who has died at the age of 69.
Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII died peacefully on Friday surrounded by his family, a spokesperson confirmed.
The Maori king had been in hospital recovering from heart surgery, and passed away just days after celebrating the 18th anniversary of his coronation.
“The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maaoridom and the entire nation,” the spokesman added in a statement.
“A chief who has passed to the great beyond. Rest in love.”
New Zealand's prime minister Christopher Luxon led the tributes to the King, writing “Today, we mourn the loss of Kiingi Tuheitia.”
“His unwavering commitment to his people and his tireless efforts to uphold the values and traditions of the Kiingitanga have left an indelible mark on our nation."
“I will remember his dedication to Aotearoa New Zealand [land of the long white cloud], his commitment to mokopuna [young people], his passion for te ao Māori, and his vision for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect.”
King Charles also paid tribute, writing, “My wife [Queen Camilla] and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the death of Kiingi Tuheitia. I had the greatest pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades. He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Māori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion."
“My wife and I extend our deepest condolences to Kiingi Tuheitia’s whānau and friends and all those who will mourn his loss. Our special thoughts are prayers will be with you at this most difficult and heartbreaking of times.”
Kiwi beauty pageant contestant Rosemary Poi also honoured the late King, writing, “Our hearts are heavy with the loss of Kingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. Your humility, kindness, and cheeky spirit touched us all deeply. In these moments of sorrow, my heart is with your whānau and the kiingitanga."
Kiingi Tūheitia will likely lie in state at Tūrangawaewae Marae, near Hamilton, for five days, then be taken to Taupiri Mountain for burial.
The Kiingitanga — Maori King movement — was founded in 1858 with the aim of uniting New Zealand’s Indigenous Maori under a single sovereign, and Kiingi Tuheitia was the seventh Kiingitanga monarch.
Image credits: Radio New Zealand / 9News