The indigenous people of New Zealand are mourning the loss of their king. Just days after the 18th anniversary of his coronation, Maori King Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero died shortly after heart surgery. He was 69 years old.
Tuheitia had recently undergone heart surgery. According to a statement from his office, he has now fallen asleep peacefully in hospital, surrounded by his family. Tuheitia was the seventh king of the indigenous people of the Pacific state since the “Kiingitanga” (the Maori king movement) was founded in 1958 with the aim of uniting the indigenous people under one ruler.
No power at state level
Maori kings do not have state-level power, but play an important symbolic and cultural role of unity between the different Maori tribes and thus also exert national influence. There are currently about 900,000 Maori living in New Zealand, which is just over 17 percent of the population.
“A chief who has passed on to the afterlife. Rest in love,” the statement continued. The Ministry of Culture said flags on all public buildings should be flown at half-mast “as a mark of deepest sorrow and respect.” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he would not forget the King’s “unwavering dedication,” leaving an “indelible mark” on New Zealand.
King Charles ‘deeply saddened’
Britain’s King Charles also expressed his “deep sadness” at the monarch’s death in the Commonwealth country. “I had the great pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades,” he wrote in a statement.
The monarch was determined to create a strong future for Maori and New Zealand, based on culture, tradition and healing, ‘which he did with wisdom and compassion’. Tuheitia also attended Charles’ coronation in London in September 2022.
Tuheitia became king in 2006 after the death of his mother. His body will lie in state at his home for several days before being taken to his final resting place on the sacred Mount Taupiri, about 100 kilometres south of Auckland city on New Zealand’s North Island. The mountain has great spiritual significance – and its lower flanks are used as burial grounds.
Traditionally, tens of thousands of people attend such funeral ceremonies. Leaders from across the Pacific are also expected to pay their respects. It is still unclear who will succeed Tuheitia.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
