Kīngi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has been remembered as a “kind”, “listening” and “humble” man — whose influence has left an “indelible mark on our nation”.
Tributes have flowed for the Māori King, who died overnight.
A statement on the Kiingitanga Facebook page confirmed the death this morning.
Kīngi Tuheitia had been in hospital recovering from heart surgery.
To mark his death, the New Zealand flag would be flown at half-mast on all Government and public buildings “with immediate effect”, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage said. And it would remain at half-mast until further notice.
Kiingitanga chief of staff Ngira Simmonds told Breakfast this morning he was “sorry for all our loss”.
“In recent years, he wanted to visit as many iwi across Aotearoa as he could, as many marae across Aotearoa, and reach out to support each and every community that he knew and understood to be the reason why he was chosen to serve this duty.
“I think the legacy that he will leave for te iwi Māori, and for this nation at large, was his passionate call for unity, his strong belief that unity is the best way forward for us as a nation,” he said.
Luxon: Kīngi Tuheitia ‘unwavering commitment’
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon remembered Tuheitia for his “dedication” to New Zealand.
“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,” he said.
Christopher Luxon paid his respects to Kīngi Tuheitia and said he will travel to Tūrangawaewae Marae. (Source: 1News)
“I will remember his dedication to Aotearoa New Zealand, his commitment to mokopuna, his passion for te ao Māori, and his vision for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect.
“I will also remember the kindness he showed me personally whenever I met with him at Tūrangawaewae.”
Kiingitanga was his ‘everything’
King Charles also said he was “profoundly saddened” to hear of Kīngi Tuheitia’s death. The pair had spoken over the phone earlier this month, he added.
On Breakfast, Ngira Simmonds also praised the Kiingitanga leader’s “entire life” of service.
“I’ll remember his love for music; his love for his people,” he said.
“One of my key roles was managing the King’s diary and he never displaced any event that was here in Aotearoa. He always prioritised things that would take place here; he always prioritised his family and his grandchildren.”
Simmonds said the Kiingitanga was “everything” to Kīngi Tuheitia.
“He was born in the reign of his late grandfather, King Koroki.
1News reporter Yvonne Tahana and Te Karere’s Rapaera Tawhai joined Breakfast after the Māori King’s death. (Source: 1News)
“He was here when his mother was crowned as Queen, the late Te Atairangikaahu, he accompanied her onto the marae on that day. It was a role; it was a lifetime; it was a duty and a service from birth right up until the very last.”
‘Very humble’: Tuheitia remembered by former PM
Tūheitia was crowned in August 2006, while the prime minister was Helen Clark.
Speaking to 1News, Clark remembered a “very humble man”.
“One who would never have sought the position, but stepped up when his late mother, who had such an incredible record, passed away. And he served his people — that was what he was there to do. He dedicated his life to that, and that takes a lot,” she said.
“Kiingitanga always had the gate of the marae open to anyone. Even when there were enormous differences with governments, the marae there was still a place where people could come face each other and talk.”
Tūheitia joined Clark as part of a Māori delegation to the United Nations when the former PM was appointed to the global body in 2009.
Thousands expected to pay respects
Kiingitanga spokesperson Rahui Papa told Breakfast the Māori King had battled health issues “for some time”. But still, he said Kīngi Tuheitia’s death was “devastating”.
Kiingitanga spokesperson Rahui Papa said the Māori King had been “plagued” by health issues “for some time”. (Source: 1News)
“We remember that he was a father; he was a grandfather; he was a brother; he was an uncle,” Papa said. “We will work to be able to honour him in his passing.”
Thousands of people were expected at Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia over the coming days to pay their respects.
Political reactions: King ’embodied tino rangatiratanga’
Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters expressed the Government’s condolences.
“It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of the King, and we express sympathies and prayers to the Kiingitanga family and Tainui people,” he said.
“The news is especially saddening having only recently marked the Koroneihana celebrations at Tūrangawaewae.”
Former prime minister Jacinda Ardern paid tribute to Kīngi Tuheitia on Instagram.
“Kua hinga te tōtara o Te Waonui a Tāne,” she wrote.
“Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII, Kingi.
“You have been an advocate for Māori, 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. Nga mihi nui, Kingi. Rest easy now.”
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said: “Kiingi Tuheitia was a fierce and staunch advocate, voice and leader, not only for Māoridom but for a better and more inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand.
“His commitment to the kaupapa was fearless and unwavering — that’s his legacy that we’ll all remember fondly
“We extend our deepest gratitude to the service, manakitanga, leadership and unwavering dedication of Kiingi Tuheitia to te ao Māori and join with others in mourning what is indeed a significant loss to our nation.”
Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro said: “Farewell e te Ariki nui, Kiingi Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII.”
Dame Cindy said that she learned of Kīngi Tuheitia’s death “with great sorrow”.
“We are left bereft, in the knowledge that you have returned to the ancestors.”
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi said the passing was “deeply mourned”.
“Kiingi Tūheitia was grassroots; humble; not fluent or flashy in formalities — yet naturally prepared to serve and lead,” said Ngarewa-Packer.
“His legacy of unification, of mana motuhake and rangatiratanga, will live on through the movement and through te iwi Māori,” Waititi added.
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said Kīngi Tuheitia’s legacy was “one of unity, kindness and truly listening to understand”.
“Kiingi Tuheitia put kotahitanga on the national agenda, as our guiding star, to build the country we all deserve.
“Kiingi Tuheitia’s ability to deliver incisive, unapologetic, profound truths on open hearts and ears was a testament to how he navigated the world and embodied tino rangatiratanga.
“Moe mai rā, e te rangatira. We all must continue to mahitahi in your legacy.”
Kiingi Tuheitia is survived by his wife Te Makau Ariki Te Atawhai and their two sons Whatumoana and Korotangi and daughter, Ngā Wai hono i te pō Paki.
Note: The use of double vowels in this article reflects the dialect used by the Kiingitanga/Kīngitanga which uses double vowels (aa, ee, ii, oo, uu) in place of macronised vowels (ā, ē, ī, ō, ū).