King Charles has paid tribute to Kīngi Tuheitia, who died in the early hours of this morning.
King Charles said he and Queen Camilla were “profoundly saddened” to learn of the Māori King’s death.
“Kua hinga te tōtara i Te Waonui a Tāne,” a statement from the monarch read. “A mighty Totora tree has fallen.
“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.”
King Charles remembered his meetings with Kīngi Tuheitia “with immense fondness”, he said.
Recent meetings include when Charles, then prince, was “warmly and graciously” welcomed to Tūrangawaewae Marae in 2015.
The pair also spoke when Kīngi Tuheitia visited Buckingham Palace last year.
Kiingitanga spokesperson Rahui Papa said the Māori King had been “plagued” by health issues “for some time”. (Source: 1News)
“His death is a particular shock in view of the fact that I had only very recently spoken to Kiingi on the telephone at the beginning of August,” King Charles said.
“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 and prayers will be with you at this most difficult and heartbreaking of times.”
Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, the King’s representative in New Zealand, also issued a statement.
“Farewell e te Ariki nui, Kiingi Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII,” she said.
“It was with great sorrow that I received the news of the death of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII.
“All Waikato-Tainui and Kingitanga will be mourning the passing of their leader, and his loss will be felt across Māoridom and the wider Pacific,” Dame Cindy continued.
“Kiingi Tuheitia built on the mahi of his forebears, advocating for Waikato-Tainui and promoting peace and unity.
“He inspired iwi Māori to hold fast to our identity and take pride in our reo.”
The Governor-General said she would “treasure” her memories of time spent with the Māori King.
“On behalf of all New Zealanders, I extend sincere condolences to Te Makau Ariki, Whatumoana, Korotangi and Ngā Wai Hono I Te Po.
“Papa te whatitiri, hikohiko te uira, i kanapu i te rangi, te whetu ki raro ra, rū ana te whenua, au, au, aue te mamae. He kura i tangihia, he maimai aroha, mou, kua riro ki te kāpunipunitanga o te tangata.
“Waiho mai mātou ki muri nei, tangi ai, haku ai, mōteatea ai i a koutou i kahakina e ngā ringa o te pō.
“Haere atu rā, haere atu rā, moe mai rā, e te Kiingi, Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII.
“The thunder crashes, the lightning flashes, it illuminates the heavens, and hammers downward. The land is forever shaking.
“The sadness within is palpable at the hearing of your passing. We are left bereft, in the knowledge that you have returned to the ancestors,” Dame Cindy said.
Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu, the King of Tonga’s sister, issued a statement on the death with “heartfelt sympathy and aroha”.
“It is with profound sadness that I extend my deepest condolences to the royal family, the people of Aotearoa, and the Māori community on the passing of His Majesty King Tuheitia,” she said.
“His legacy as a leader, unifier, and guardian of Te Ao Māori will be remembered for generations to come.
“In this time of mourning, we stand together as Pacific peoples, bound by the deep ties of kinship and shared heritage.”
The princess said Kīngi Tuheitia’s “wisdom, strength and commitment to his people” had left “an indelible mark” on everyone who “had the privilege to know him or witness his leadership”.
“May you find solace in the cherished memories of His Majesty, and may his spirit guide you through this time of sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, as we honour his life and the immense contribution he made to the wellbeing and prosperity of his people.”
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).