Hundreds of mourners from Tainui waka have already made their way on to Tūrangawaewae Marae today to pay their respects to King Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII on the first day of his tangihanga.
Locals say they are devastated but have come together to mourn and to host what will be the largest tangi in decades.
Attendee Tiaki Gillett said her heart broke at the news of his death but it was important they were there to support the family and “do what we need to do”.
“It’s very important to come so that you can feel a part of this kaupapa, so we can all mourn together, be together, and celebrate his life together.
“A man who made peace with a lot of different people; who’s been guiding our young ones through, the next generation, and helping us all navigate the world that we’re living in now.”
One of the organisers of the tangihanga at Tūrangawaewae Glenda Raumati told 1News the marae would be ready to host whoever came. “We will be,” she said.
She said the marae had a lot of experience this year alone in catering for large crowds. “We’ve just had a week after organising our Koroneihana.
“We just did hui-ā-motu as well. That was only one day but it’s the same kind of numbers.”
Raumati said the people of Tūrangawaewae were well rehearsed in welcoming multitudes.
“Many of us were around when [King Tuheitia’s mother] Te Arikinui died, so there’s a lot of institutional knowledge around on how to respond to those sort of numbers.
“We’re able to respond and manaaki the people.”
Raumati said there were already about 200 whānau on site, tending the gardens and preparing kai. “We know it will grow.”
Sonny Tahi told Māori media a karakia was held for the king on Thrusday night at Hopuhopu with the hope of strengthening him in his recovery, so to find himself here this morning was devastating.
“Kua hē te ngākau, kua hē manawa te ngākau i runga i te rirohanga o tō tātou kīngi, a Kīngi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. Kei ngā rangi tūhāhā ngā whakaaro i ēnei wā.”
(My heart stopped, it failed upon the death of our king, Kīngi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. My mind is all over the place at this time).
“That’s currently what we’re feeling,” said Maioha Panapa, a reporter for Whakaata Māori who grew up at Tūrangawaewae among the Kīngitanga. “But you know, as we do, ko te kaupapa ki mua, ko mātou te tuarua (the kaupapa comes first, us second).”
She said the entire iwi have been in recuperation mode having only just come off hosting the monarch’s 18th Koroneihana celebrations a week ago – another massive week-long event that saw thousands of people from around the country and the Pacific descend on the marae in Ngāruawāhia.
But mobilising again despite the short respite has been a smooth operation, she said.
“Our people have been smiling and reminiscing about the times that they shared with our king, and our rangatahi have been at the forefront alongside our pakeke, our ruruhi, our koroheke as well.”
A large number of uri from Maniapoto, Te Nehenehenui, and Ngāti Raukawa were welcomed on to the marae this afternoon. Their numbers meant it took more than 10 minutes for the final few people to walk through the tomokanga to take their seats for the start of whaikōrero.
In total, the pōwhiri took three hours from start to finish, an indication of what can be expected in the days ahead.
Glossary
Tainui waka – (iwi associated with the) Tainui canoe
tangihanga – funeral
kaupapa – event, cause
karakia – incantation, prayers
Koroneihana – Coronation
manaaki – support, take care of
rangatahi – young people, youth
hui-ā-motu – national gathering
pakeke – adults
ruruhi – elderly women
koroheke – elderly men
uri – descendant(s)
tomokanga – entranceway, gateway
whaikōrero – formal speeches