New Zealand reacts as Maori king dies

Tūheitia Paki, the Maori King crowned as Kiingi Tuheitia, has died, with Kiwis praising his “humility, kindness, and cheeky spirit”.

Tributes have poured in following the death of the king of New Zealand’s Indigenous Maori people on Friday, just days after celebrating the 18th anniversary of his coronation.

Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII died peacefully surrounded by family, a spokesman said. The Maori king, aged 69, had been in hospital recovering from heart surgery.

Maori King Tuheitia Paki sits on the carved wooden throne during his coronation ceremony at Turangawaewae in Ngaruawahia, south of Auckland, 21 August 2006. Picture: AFP

“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 Prime Minister Christopher Luxon led the tributes.

“Today, we mourn the loss of Kiingi Tuheitia,” Mr Luxon said in a statement from Tonga, where he is attending the Pacific Islands Forum.

“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 Maori, and his vision for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect.”

Maori King Tuheitia Paki (rubbing noses on right) welcomes visitors at the first day of his coronation ceremony in Huntly, in New Zealand's north island.

The Maori King Tuheitia Paki arrives for the funeral of his mother, Maori Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, Monday, August 21, 2006.

King Charles III of the United Kingdom wrote: “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 Maori 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 whaanau 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.”

Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern praised the late Indigenous king in a post on Instagram.

“You have been an advocate for Maori, for fairness, justice and prosperity. You wanted children, young people, and those who have been left behind to have opportunities and hope.

“You worked tirelessly on building understanding and knowledge of our shared history and in doing so, strengthening Aotearoa. And amongst all of that, you made everyone feel welcome — including me. Rest easy now.”

British High Commissioner to New Zealand Iona Thomas said he was a “man of great kindness and dedicated to peace”.

Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell said the community was “deeply saddened” and acknowledged his leadership.

Waking up with the sad news of the passing of The Māori King, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. At this difficult moment my thoughts are with the Kingitanga family and Tainui people. May his legacy inspire to continue to build a future as he envisioned. Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/pF0sxB5Fb8

— Ard van der Vorst🇳🇱🇳🇿🇺🇦 (@ArdvanderVorst) August 29, 2024

Kiwi beauty pageant contestant Rosemary Poi wrote: “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 whanau and the kiingitanga.

“Your legacy of leadership and love will forever resonate within our souls. You were not just a king but a beacon of hope and unity for our country. Rest in peace, our beloved kingi. Until we meet again, moe mai rā. Your memory will continue to inspire and guide us. Arohanui, xoxo.”

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.

Kiingi Tuheitia was the seventh Kiingitanga monarch.

The Maori are believed to have originated from islands around modern-day Tahiti, and currently make up about 17 per cent of New Zealand’s population, or about 900,000 people.

The arrival of Europeans to New Zealand in 1642 brought colonisation, anti-Maori discrimination and pitched warfare that was eventually stopped through the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi.

The treaty, signed between the British and hundreds of Maori chiefs, is seen as the founding document of New Zealand and established British control over the country.

UK monarch King Charles III is New Zealand’s head of state.