Getty ImagesNew Zealand’s Māori king – Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII – has died peacefully at the age of 69, surrounded by his wife and three children.
The Kiingitanga, or Māori chief’s association, announced the news on social media on Friday morning local time (Thursday evening GMT).
Department spokesperson Rahui Papa said the king had been in hospital recovering after heart surgery, a few days after celebrating 18 years of coronation.
“The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for the fans of Te Kiingitanga, Maaoridom and the entire nation,” the spokesperson said. “The chief of the past is greater than the one here. Rest in love.”
Getty ImagesThe successor to King Tuheitia will be chosen by Kiingitanga leaders and may not be announced until after his funeral, which usually lasts at least three days.
New Zealand media reported that the king was expected to stay at Turangawaewae Marae, the seat of the Māori king, for five days, and then go to rest at Mount Taupiri.
The king was born to Tūheitia Paki in 1955. He was ordained in 2006 following the death of his mother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
The position of a Māori chief since 1858.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to the king on social media, he says: “His unwavering devotion to his people and his tireless efforts to respect the customs and traditions of Kiingitanga have left an indelible mark on our nation.
AFPThe Māori king attended the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023 as well they met in secret the British king before the ceremony.
The two met again when Prince-Charles and his wife Camilla visited New Zealand in 2015.
In 2014, the king refused to meet Prince William and Princess Kate, then the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on their trip to New Zealand because he said the 60 to 90 minutes allotted to them for a visit was not enough.
Additional reporting by Kathryn Armstrong
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