Rep. n° 10/2024
Tūrangawaewae Marae, August 30, 2024. It is with deep regret that we have received the very sad news of the passing of His Majesty Kīngi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII GCCT KStJ PPSP, the Māori King in New Zealand. In 2020, His Majesty became an official Friend of Peace in our international initiative. In 2022, during Servare et Manere’s spectacular expedition to Oceania, an audience and dinner with Kīngi Tūheitia was scheduled at the royal residence Tūrangawaewae Marae. Unfortunately, all members of the expedition tested positive for Covid-19, and for this reason the audience and meeting could not take place. Even the planting of the memorial Tree of Peace was without our participation. His Majesty was awarded the Servare et Manere highest honour: Tree of Peace Memorial Plaque, during the planting ceremony.
Kīngi Tuheitia had been in hospital recovering from heart surgery. His death follows his 18th anniversary Koroneihana (coronation) celebrations earlier this month. “The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maaoridom and the entire nation,” said Kiingitanga spokesperson Rahui Papa. To mark his death, the New Zealand flag is set to be flown at half-mast on all Government and public buildings “with immediate effect”, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage said. It will remain at half-mast until further notice, the ministry said.
Kīngi Tuheitia was born in Huntly in April 1955. Upon his coronation in August 2006 after the death of his mother, Māori Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, Tuheitia became the seventh Māori monarch since the movement’s foundation in 1858. Throughout his life, His Majesty strove for peace and friendship among nations and the good standing and life of his people. At the anniversary of his coronation, Kīngi Tuheitia called on Māori to strive for unity in the face of policies targeting Māori.
“Let’s keep pushing forward while we are currently facing a storm, there’s no need to worry. In this storm we are strong. Together. The wind in our sails is kotahitanga, and with that we will reach our destination.” He urged Māori not to focus on “fighting against the Government” but to work on building a way of life together — Māori and non-Māori. “We’ve got to make a space for tauiwi and others who want to live here.”
Kīngi Tūheitia attended the coronation of King Charles III last year.
May he rest in peace!
