New Zealand's Māori King, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, has passed away at the age of 69. His death occurred on Friday morning while he was in the hospital recovering from heart surgery, just days after celebrating the 18th anniversary of his coronation.
Described as "unpretentious" and a former construction worker, Kiingi Tuheitia ascended to the throne in 2006 following the death of his mother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. During his reign, he was known as a fierce advocate for Māori wellbeing and rights.
The role of the Māori monarch is largely ceremonial and holds no legal mandate, but it is considered to be the paramount chief of several tribes. The position carries major political and symbolic weight within New Zealand. The King Movement, or Kiingitanga, was founded in 1858 with the aim of uniting New Zealand’s Indigenous Māori under a single sovereign.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon led the tributes, stating, "Today, we mourn. 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."
Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also praised Kiingi Tuheitia for being an advocate for fairness, justice, and prosperity for the Māori people.
The king's funeral is expected to take place next Thursday, and he will be buried alongside his mother and previous Māori kings on the sacred Taupiri Mountain.
The new leader will be appointed by the heads of tribes associated with the King Movement on the day of Kiingi Tuheitia's funeral but before he is buried. Whatumoana Paki is expected to succeed him as the next Māori monarch.
King Charles III expressed his condolences, saying, "My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the death of Kiingi Tuheitia. 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."
The Māori community, along with the entire nation, mourns the loss of a leader who dedicated his life to the betterment of his people and the preservation of their customs and traditions.
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