New Zealand’s Māori king Tuheitia dies at 69

Kiingi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII, the Māori King of New Zealand, has passed away at the age of 69.

Surrounded by his wife and three children, the king died following a period of recovery in the hospital after heart surgery.

The news was announced by the Kiingitanga, the Māori king movement, on Friday morning local time (Thursday evening GMT).

Rahui Papa, a spokesman for the Kiingitanga, expressed the deep sorrow felt across the nation.

“The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Māoridom, and the entire nation. A chief who has passed to the great beyond. Rest in love,” he said.

Born Tūheitia Paki in 1955, King Tuheitia was crowned in 2006 following the death of his mother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.

Throughout his reign, he was regarded as a unifying figure, recently urging Māori to stand together against policies targeting their community.

“In this storm we are strong. Together. The wind in our sails is kotahitanga [unity], and with that we will reach our destination,” he said in a call for unity.

King Tuheitia’s successor will be chosen by leaders within the Kiingitanga, although the announcement may not come until the conclusion of his funeral rites.

New Zealand media reported that the king is expected to lie in state at Turangawaewae Marae, the seat of the Māori king, for five days, before being taken to rest on Taupiri Mountain.

The role of Māori king dates back to 1858, when Māori leaders created the position to serve as a unifying figure similar to that of a European monarch. The role, largely ceremonial, was intended to prevent the loss of Māori land to British colonizers and to preserve Māori culture.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to the king on 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 also offered her respects, saying: “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 was known internationally, having attended King Charles III’s coronation in May 2023 and meeting the British monarch privately before the celebration.

King Charles expressed his condolences, saying he and Queen Camilla were “profoundly saddened” by the news. “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,” said King Charles, adding in Māori, “Kua hinga te tōtara i Te Waonui a Tāne” (A mighty Totora tree has fallen), referencing a sacred and symbolic native New Zealand tree.

King Tuheitia made headlines in 2014 when he declined to meet Prince William and Princess Kate during their tour of New Zealand, stating that the 60 to 90 minutes allocated for the visit was insufficient to honor the cultural customs befitting their status.