An advisory council of Māori leaders were to meet tonight to discuss succession of the Kiingitanga, in the wake of Kīngi Tuheitia’s death on Friday.
The subject had been taboo up until this point, while time was allowed to properly grieve the late King. He will be laid to rest on Thursday.
Tekau Mā Rua chairperson Che Wilson told 1News his organisation was akin to a privy council to the Kiingitanga — a council of representatives from around the country, including iwi and other national groups.
It gave advice to the King on local issues, as well as national issues and challenges, he said.
It was also the group’s role to support Tūwharetoa paramount chief, Te Ariki Tā (Sir) Tumu Te Heuheu in convening a hui of rangatira, leaders from around the country, who decides who will succeed Kīngi Tuheitia to the throne.
The rangatira were “leaders recognised by our people”, Wilson said.
It was “a pretty wide group”.
In the past, those rangatira would measure potential successors against strict criteria, including gender and whether they had children.
This changed when Korokī Mahuta died, and his daughter Te Atairangikaahu — Tuheitia’s mother — assumed the throne, he said.
Things changed again when the Queen died, and women were included in decision-making to appoint Kīngi Tuheitia, as well as including other national entities.
“I think that’s important because we’re going to continually change with each Ariki hou — with each Kīngi or each Kuīni.”
He said the change was important to make sure the Kiingitanga remained “relevant”.
“If we don’t stay relevant, it will become history.”
Wilson said he had encouraged the rangatira to consider the next generation.
In the past, the descent from the male line had been discussed, along with whether a potential monarch had children, and their ability to connect with different iwi.
The ability to connect overseas was also important, he said — in the past, that was limited to Pacific neighbours, but now included the wider world.
He said a good example of that was Kīngi Tuheitia’s long-standing relationship with King Charles III — the pair’s friendship pre-dated Tuheitia’s ascension to the role in 2006.
Ngarimu Parata, of Ngāti Porou, said Kīngi Tuheitia had demonstrated “quite pragmatic” leadership, “grew” into his role as King, and liked to work with his hands.
“A sort of a man’s man situation.”
He was “hopeful” for the future of the Kiingitanga but also “kotahitanga (unity) in general”.
Meetings tonight about succession could extend into tomorrow, he said.
“They’re sharing their aspirations for the Kiingitanga and the Kotahitanga movement — what they can do in their own places, in their own families to support kotahitanga and to support the Kiingitanga.
He said while to some, the interpretation of kotahitanga was “uniformity”, he was hopeful it was his interpretation, which was “unity in group operations”.
The late King has two sons — Te Ariki Tamaaroa Whatumoana and Te Ariki Turuki Korotangi. He also has a daughter, Te Ariki Tapairu Ngawai Hono i Te Po. All are aged in their late 20s to early 30s.
The eldest, Whatumoana, took an early role by his father’s side but in recent years, daughter Ngawai Hono i Te Po has gained prominence.
Rangitāne’s Manahi Paewai said Ngawai Hono i Te Po had been “groomed” for the role and he tended to “want to support that”.
Waihoroi Shortland, of Ngāti Hine, said humility was paramount trait for the successor.
Glossary
Kiingitanga – name of the Māori King movement, Māori monarchy
Tekau Mā Rua – the King’s Council, an advisory group of Māori leaders
hui – meeting, discussion
rangatira – chief, leader
Ariki – paramount chief
hou – new
Kīngi – King
Kuīni – Queen
kotahitanga – unity
Kotahitanga movement – movement initiated by King Tuheitia for Māori unity
