New Zealand’s Māori King, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, passed away peacefully on Friday morning at the age of 69, just days after celebrating the 18th anniversary of his coronation. According to a statement released by his representatives, the King died in hospital following heart surgery.
Kiingitanga (Māori King Movement) spokeswoman Rahui Papa expressed profound sadness at the death. “The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maoridom, and the entire nation,” Papa said to social media.
In 2006, Kiingi Tuheitia took the throne from his mother, Queen Dame Te Atairangikaahu. Though not connected to every Māori tribe, the Māori King is ceremoniously recognized as the paramount chief of several iwi. Though many Māori people still view the position as a symbol of unity and cultural preservation, it does not have judicial or legal power in New Zealand.
In 1858, the King Movement, also known as Kiingitanga, was founded with the goal of bringing the native Māori tribes together and bolstering their struggle against colonization. Its objectives included stopping land sales to non-Indigenous people, putting an end to tribal conflicts, and protecting Māori culture in the face of British imperialism.
In expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand highlighted the King’s “unwavering commitment to his people and his tireless efforts to uphold the values and traditions of Kingitanga.” As a champion for Māori rights, fairness, justice, and prosperity, Kiingi Tuheitia was recalled by former prime minister Jacinda Ardern.
It is anticipated that the King’s tangihanga, or burial ceremonies, will last a minimum of five days. Before the burial, as is customary, the chiefs of tribes connected to the King Movement will name a new leader.