The Māori king in New Zealand, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, has passed away peacefully at the age of 69, surrounded by his wife and three children.
According to BBC, the Kiingitanga, or Māori king movement, shared the news on social media on Friday morning local time, Thursday evening GMT.
A spokesperson, Rahui Papa, revealed that the king had been in the hospital recovering from heart surgery, just days after marking the 18th anniversary of his coronation.
“The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maaoridom, and the entire nation,” Papa stated. “A chief who has passed to the great beyond. Rest in love.”
Born Tūheitia Paki in 1955, King Tuheitia ascended to the throne in 2006 following the death of his mother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
Much like his mother, King Tuheitia was revered as a unifying leader, recently urging Māori to unite against policies targeting them.
“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 [unity], and with that, we will reach our destination,” he encouraged.
The process to select King Tuheitia’s successor will be undertaken by leaders within the Kiingitanga, with the announcement potentially being withheld until after his funeral rites.
New Zealand media reported thatbthe king is expected to lie in state at Turangawaewae Marae, the seat of the Māori king, for five days before being taken to Taupiri Mountain for his final resting place.
The role of Māori king was established in 1858 as a unifying figure to resist the widespread land losses to British colonizers and to safeguard Māori culture. Though largely ceremonial, the position has significant cultural importance.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to the king via social media, stating, “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 Dame Jacinda Ardern, in her tribute, remarked, “You have been an advocate for Māori, for fairness, justice, and prosperity. You wanted children, young people, and those who have been left behind to have opportunities and hope.”
King Tuheitia attended the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023 and had a private meeting with the British monarch before the event.
The two also met during the visit of then-Prince Charles and Camilla to New Zealand in 2015.
In a statement, King Charles expressed his deep sadness over Kiingi Tuheitia’s passing, noting that he had enjoyed knowing the king for many years.
“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,” he stated.
King Charles also added in Māori, “Kua hinga te tōtara i Te Waonui a Tāne. (A mighty Totora tree has fallen),” a reference to a sacred and symbolically strong native New Zealand tree.
In 2014, King Tuheitia notably declined a meeting with Prince William and Princess Kate, the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, during their New Zealand tour, stating that the 60 to 90 minutes allotted for the visit was insufficient to observe the cultural customs appropriate for their status.
