New Zealand’s Maori King, Kiingi Tuheitia, has died aged 69, just days after the celebration of his 18th year since his coronation.
Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII died peacefully surrounded by family, a spokesman said.
He had been in hospital recovering from heart surgery.
The death was confirmed by the Kiingitanga’s social media early on Friday morning.
“[The King died] accompanied by his wife Makau Ariki and their children Whatumoana, Korotangi and Ngawai Hono I Te Po,” it read, in te reo, the Maori language.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon led tributes. Luxon said, “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.”
Kiingi Tuheitia was the seventh Kiingitanga monarch. UK monarch King Charles III is New Zealand’s head of state.
The Maori currently make up about 17 per cent of New Zealand’s population, or about 900,000 people.
Europeans arrived to New Zealand in 1642. European colonisers brought discrimination and warfare until the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi.
King Charles III wrote, “I had the greatest pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades.”
“He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Maori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion.”
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