Kīngi Tuheitia has died, aged 69.
A statement on the Kiingitanga Facebook page confirmed the news this morning.
“Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has died peacefully this morning.”
His wife Makau Ariki and their children Whatumoana, Korotangi and Ngawai Hono I Te Po were by his side.
Kīngi Tuheitia had been in hospital recovering from heart surgery, the statement added.
Kīngi Tuheitia was the seventh Māori monarch. (Source: 1News)
His death follows his 18th anniversary Koroneihana (coronation) celebrations earlier this month.
“The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maaoridom and the entire nation,” said Kiingitanga spokesperson Rahui Papa.
To mark his death, the New Zealand flag is set to be flown at half-mast on all Government and public buildings “with immediate effect”, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage said. It will remain at half-mast until further notice, the ministry said.
Kīngi Tuheitia was born in Huntly in April 1955.
Upon his coronation in August 2006 after the death of his mother, Māori Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, Tuheitia became the seventh Māori monarch since the movement’s foundation in 1858.
He had faced health challenges, including a battle with diabetes.
Kiingitanga chief of staff Ngira Simmonds said the King “passed away peacefully”. (Source: 1News)
At the anniversary of his coronation, Kīngi Tuheitia called on Māori to strive for unity in the face of policies targeting Māori.
“Let’s keep pushing forward while we are currently facing a storm, there’s no need to worry. In this storm we are strong. Together. The wind in our sails is kotahitanga, and with that we will reach our destination.”
He urged Māori not to focus on “fighting against the Government” but to work on building a way of life together — Māori and non-Māori.
“We’ve got to make a space for tauiwi and others who want to live here.”
He attended the coronation of King Charles III last year.
The Prime Minister – who is currently in Tonga – reflected on Kingi Tuheitia’s legacy. (Source: 1News)
While there he gifted the British monarch with The Order of King Pootatau Te Wherowhero in the Supreme Class. The highest honour in the Kiingitanga Royal Orders which is reserved exclusively for Monarchs.
The Order of Queen Te Arikinui Te Atairangikāhu in the First Class was given to Queen Consort Camilla.
Charles was also gifted the Te Wherowhero tartan and a mere pounamu, He Kura Pounamu.
Kīngi Tuheitia is currently at Tūrangawaewae Marae. He will lie in state on the mahau of Māhinārangi meeting house throughout the duration of the tangihanga from this afternoon. The event is expected to run for seven days.
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).