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Tūheitia Paki

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Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII
Te Kiingi
Kīngi Tūheitia in 2021
Māori King
Tenure21 August 2006 – 30 August 2024
Coronation21 August 2006
PredecessorTe Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu
SuccessorTo be determined
BornTūheitia Paki
(1955-04-21)21 April 1955
Huntly, New Zealand
Died30 August 2024(2024-08-30) (aged 69)
Makau ArikiTe Atawhai
Issue
  • Whatumoana Te Aa
  • Te Ariki Taituruki Korotangi
  • Te Puhi Ariki Ngawaihonoitepo
Names
Pōtatau Te Wherowhero Tāwhiao Mahuta Te Rata Koroki Te Atairangikāhu Tūheitia
Regnal name
Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII
Kāhui ArikiTe Wherowhero
FatherWhatumoana Paki
MotherTe Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu

Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII GCCT KStJ KCLJ (born Tūheitia Paki, 21 April 1955 – 30 August 2024), crowned as Kīngi Tūheitia, reigned as the Māori King from 2006 until his death in 2024. He was the eldest son of the previous Māori monarch, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, and was announced as her successor and crowned on 21 August 2006, the day her tangihanga (funeral rites) took place.

Among his activities, he involved himself in politics, as does the Kīngitanga as an institution. In January 2024, he held a national hui of Māori unity to respond to the policies of the Sixth National Government towards Māori and the Treaty of Waitangi, which the Kīngitanga believed were regressive and would reverse "decades of hard fought justice."

Tūheitia was patron to Te Matatini, the largest Māori cultural festival, and also of Kirikiriroa Marae in Hamilton. He made numerous state visits and met with other monarchs, the most recent being Charles III at the latter's coronation in 2023. Tūheita also advocated for Māori survivors of climate change in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Tūheitia struggled with poor health throughout his life. In 2024, over a week after his eighteenth koroneihana (coronation anniversary), Tūheitia died in hospital after recovering from unsuccessful cardiac surgery. His successor is expected to be determined on the day of his funeral.

Family

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Turongo House at Tūrangawaewae, the royal residence

King Tūheitia (born Tūheitia Paki) was the son of Whatumoana Paki (1926–2011) and Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu (1931–2006), who married in 1952. He was educated at Rakaumanga School in Huntly, Southwell School in Hamilton and St. Stephen's College (Te Kura o Tipene) in Bombay, south of Auckland, New Zealand. He had five sisters – Heeni Katipa (née Paki); Tomairangi Paki; Mihi ki te ao Paki; Kiki Solomon (née Paki); Manawa Clarkson (née Paki) – and one brother, Maharaia Paki.[2]

He was married to Te Atawhai, who has the title Makau Ariki, and they had three children: Whatumoana, Korotangi, and Ngawai Hono I Te Po.[3][1] Following his ascent to the throne, Te Atawhai was appointed patron of the Māori Women's Welfare League in 2007[4] and Te Kohao Health,[5] a Māori public health organisation.

Duties and background

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Tūheitia with Dame Patsy Reddy, Sir David Gascoigne, and the Makau Ariki, Atawhai, at Tūrangawaewae for the koroneihana celebrations of 2019

The King generally spoke publicly only once a year, at the annual celebrations in Ngāruawāhia of his coronation.[6]

His official duties included attending the following events:

King Tūheitia attended hundreds of events every year both nationally and internationally. He was the patron to several key organisations; including Te Matatini,[13] the largest Māori cultural festival in the world, and Kirikiriroa Marae,[14] a large urban marae in Hamilton.

He frequently received international dignitaries, foreign diplomats, members of other royal families, and members of governments.[15] In 2014, the King notably received 26 diplomats[16] to discuss international and trade interests for the Kīngitanga.

Kīngi Tūheitia in 2009

In 2009, King Tūheitia visited the New Zealand Parliament and was acknowledged in the valedictory speech of the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark.[17] In the same year, the King accompanied Helen Clark to the United Nations upon her appointment as the United Nations Development Programme administrator.[18]

The King regularly attended significant events of Māoridom around the country. In July 2018, the King and Royal family attended the 150th Celebrations of the Ringatu Church, to which the King's eldest grandson, Hikairo, has been baptised.[19] The King also frequently attended the annual 25 January celebrations of the Ratana Church expressing his continued support for all denominations and his deep desire to unify the people.[20]

In 2018, two archbishops of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia visited Tūrangawaewae to join in honouring King Tūheitia and 160 years of the Kīngitanga.[21] In May 2019, King Tūheitia and members of the Whare Ariki travelled to the Vatican City where the King met Pope Francis in a private audience. The two met and discussed issues pertaining to Te Iwi Maori and indigenous peoples around the world. King Tūheitia also issued a formal invitation for the Pope to visit Tūrangawaewae marae and New Zealand.[22][23]

In the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, King Tūheitia visited parts of the devastated East Coast across the Ngāti Kahungunu rohe to help rebuild.[24]

Poukai

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The Poukai[25] is an annual series of visits by the Māori King to marae around and beyond the Tainui region, a tradition that dates back to the 19th century. Poukai were established by the second Māori King, Tāwhiao, who said "Kua whakatūria e ahau tēnei kaupapa hei whāngai i te pouaru, te pani me te rawakore, he kuaha whānui kua puare ki te puna tangata me te puna kai" (I have instituted this gathering to feed the widowed, the bereaved and the destitute, it is a doorway that has been opened to the multitudes of people and the bounty of food).[26]

There are 29 Poukai every year and King Tūheitia attended each one. Poukai are a critical event in the Kīngitanga calendar. A unique element of Poukai is their focus on: te pani (the bereaved), te pouaru (the widowed) and te rawakore (the destitute). These events, led by the monarch, are put in place to assist and help ease the burdens and challenges faced by people.

Political involvement

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King Tūheitia was at the forefront of many political issues, particularly pertaining to Māori.

In February 2017, King Tūheitia signed a formal accord with the Department of Corrections; the accord would later be recognised by an award from Corrections in August the same year.[27][28] The accord led to the development of "iwi justice panels", and a further partnership with Corrections to build a reintegration centre for incarcerated women who gave birth while in prison.[29] In a visit to a women's prison in Auckland, the King visited mothers and their children and pledged to do more for all incarcerated people. In 2018, the King launched, in collaboration with the New Zealand Police and Ministry of Justice, the iwi justice panel.[30] This approach to restorative justice aims to reduce incarceration rates among Māori, which are among the highest for an indigenous people in the world.

2024 national hui

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In December 2023, King Tūheitia issued a royal proclamation to hold a national hui (meeting) to promote Māori unity in January 2024. The hui was in response to the Kīngitanga movement's concerns that the new National-led coalition government's policies towards the Treaty of Waitangi would reverse "decades of hard fought justice."[31][32] The national hui was held at Tūrangawaewae marae on 20 January 2024. Key topics expected to be discussed at the hui include the Government's proposed to abolish Te Aka Whai Ora (the Māori Health Authority), roll back the use of the Māori language in the public service, repeal the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022 and review the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.[33]

On 15 January 2024, King Tūheitia met with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka and discussed several of the Government's policies including the proposed Treaty Principles legislation and plans to roll back the use of Māori language in the public service. The King's chaplain, Archdeacon Simmonds, stated that the King would continue to speak Māori regardless of Government policy and direction.[34]

On 20 January, 10,000 people attended the national hui at Tuurangawaewae Marae including former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, activist and artist Tame Iti, former New Zealand First and National MP Tau Henare, former Te Pāti Māori president Tuku Morgan, and National MPs Tama Potaka and Dan Bidois (who attended as government representatives).[35][36] The national hui commenced with five workshops focusing on the Māori language, Treaty of Waitangi, national identity, oranga tangata and oranga taiao followed by a plenary session. Tūheitia addressed attendees at 4pm.[35][37]

During his address, King Tūheitia stated that "the best protest we can do right now is be Māori, be who we are, live our values, speak our reo ['language'], care for our mokopuna ['children']."[37] He also said that the world was watching and urged the Government not to tamper with the Treaty of Waitangi in its proposed legislation.[36] Tūheitia also said that other indigenous nations were supporting the Māori cause and that the kohanga movement had a new generation of leaders.[38]

King Tūheitia attended a further national hui, held at Hastings in late May 2024.[39]

18th koroneihana

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In mid-August 2024, Tūheitia's eighteenth koroneihana (coronation anniversary celebration) was held at Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia. Invitations were extended to leaders across the New Zealand political spectrum. While the National, Labour, New Zealand First, Te Pāti Māori and the Greens accepted the invitations extended to their leaders, ACT declined.[40] On 20 and 21 August, Prime Minister Luxon and NZ First senior minister Shane Jones reiterated that neither party would support ACT's Treaty Principles Bill beyond its first reading.[41][relevant?]

Death

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Main article: Death of Tūheitia Paki

On 30 August 2024, over a week after his eighteenth koroneihana, Tūheitia died while recovering from heart surgery. He was 69.[42] A new monarch is expected to be appointed by leaders of tribes associated with the Kīngitanga on the day of Tūheitia's funeral.[43]

Tekau-ma-Rua and Te Kahui Wairua

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Māori leaders at Rātana Pā on 25 January 2012. (L-R) Harerangi Meihana, Sir Tumu Te Heuheu, Kingi Tūheitia and Sir Jerry Mateparae

In 2012, King Tūheitia formally established his Tekau-mā-Rua (the twelve, an advisory council);[44][dead link] each monarch has had a Tekau-mā-Rua to offer advice and act as a senior council within the Kīngitanga. He also added a spiritual council, called Te Kāhui Wairua. These two councils work together in providing advice, guidance and a strategic platform for the King and the Kīngitanga. For the first time for the Kīngitanga, King Tūheitia's Tekau-mā-Rua was made up of members from outside of the Waikato tribal region (the King's direct tribe).

Tekau-mā-Rua

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As of 2021:[needs update][citation needed]

Member Karangatanga (representative area)
Rikirangi Gage (Chairperson) Te Whānau-ā-Apanui
(Vacant) Tauranga Moana
Sir Pou Temara Ngāi Tūhoe
Te Kahautu Maxwell Te Whakatohea
Sir Toby Curtis Te Arawa
Che Wilson Te Wainuiarua-Whanganui
Sir Herewini Parata Ngāti Porou
Hemana Manuera Ngāti Awa
Jerry Hapuku Ngāti Kahungunu
Wharehoka Wano Taranaki
Hone Harawira Taitokerau
Companion members (Mema Āpiti)
Prue Kapua – Māori Women's Welfare League
Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi – Te Kōhanga Reo
Sir Taihakurei Durie – NZ Māori Council

Te Kāhui Wairua

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As of 2020:[needs update][citation needed]

Member Karangatanga (denomination)
Tumuaki Rev. Diana Tana (chairperson) Te Hāhi Weteriana / The Methodist Church
Rev. Rex Nathan Te Hāhi Weteriana / The Methodist Church
Apotoro Takiwa Joe Everitt Te Hāhi Ratana / The Ratana Church
Rev. Wayne Te Kaawa Te Aka Puaho / The Presbyterian Church
Rev. Mahaki Albert Te Aka Puaho / The Presbyterian Church
(Vacant) Pai Mārire
Poutikanga Wirangi Pera Te Hāhi Ringatu / The Ringatu Church
Ven. Ngira Simmonds[i] Te Hāhi Mihinare / The Anglican Church
Rt. Rev'd Ngarahu Katene Te Hāhi Mihinare / The Anglican Church
(Vacant) Te Hāhi Katorika / The Catholic Church
  1. ^ Archdeacon Simmonds is the chaplain to the Kiingitanga and private chaplain to the King.

Honours

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Elder son to stand in for ill King Tuheitia". NZ Herald. 7 December 2012. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  2. ^ Tahana, Yvonne (24 September 2011). "Obituary: Whatumoana Paki". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 24 April 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  3. ^ "Mahi". Website of the Kiingitanga. Office of the Kiingitanga. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  4. ^ "Speech to the Maori Women's Welfare League National Conference – Rt Hon John Key". johnkey.co.nz. 2011. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  5. ^ "Our History". www.tekohaohealth.co.nz. Te Kohao Health. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  6. ^ Preston, Nikki (22 August 2011). "Maori King speaks of challenges". nzherald.co.nz. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Mauri Ora: Treasures from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa – Tokyo National Museum, Japan". Archived from the original on 5 September 2009.
  8. ^ "Mauri Ora: Treasures from Museum of NZ in Japan | Scoop News". Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 2 January 2007.
  9. ^ "New Zealands first Maori Garden opens to the public". scoop.co.nz. 2010. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2011. As part of the Productive Garden Collection at Hamilton Gardens, Te Parapara was officially opened in 2008 by His Excellency Anand Satyanand and Te Arikinui Tuheitia Paki, the Maori King. However, December's unveiling will open an area housing a number of precious artisan carvings which were previously inaccessible to the public.
  10. ^ Coney, Sandra (5 May 2011). "New pou for Arataki visitor centre | Piha | Piha Beach | Piha New Zealand". www.piha.co.nz. Archived from the original on 5 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  11. ^ Black, Taroi (6 May 2018). "King Tuheitia performs powerful haka". Māori Television. Archived from the original on 10 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  12. ^ "Chris Hipkins arrives in UK ahead of King's coronation". 1news. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Patron". Te Matatini. 26 July 2018. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  14. ^ "Our History". www.tekohaohealth.co.nz. Te Kohao Health. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  15. ^ "Jacinda Ardern meets with Maori King Tuheitia at Turangawaewae Marae". TVNZ. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  16. ^ "Trade on the agenda at Turangawaewae". Stuff. 20 August 2014. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  17. ^ "Clark, Helen: Valedictory Statement". New Zealand Parliament. Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  18. ^ Young, Audrey; Tahana, Yvonne (17 April 2009). "Maori King joins Clark's UN trip". ISSN 1170-0777. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  19. ^ Kani, Shaan Te. "150 years of Ringatu Faith". gisborneherald.co.nz. Retrieved 4 February 2019.[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ "Ratana strengthens ties with Kingitanga". Māori Television. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  21. ^ "Strengthening links in Te Ao Māori". Anglican Taonga. Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  22. ^ "The Māori King has met with Pope Francis in Rome". Stuff. 27 May 2019. Archived from the original on 20 June 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  23. ^ "Papal audience: Māori King invites Pope Francis to New Zealand". TVNZ. Archived from the original on 20 June 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  24. ^ "Māori King completes visit to cyclone-hit communities on East Coast". RNZ. 5 April 2023. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  25. ^ Swarbrick, Nancy (1 July 2015). "Waikato region – Te Kīngitanga, 1880 onwards – Poukai marae". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Poukai 2018". Ngati Haua Iwi Trust. 12 December 2017. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  27. ^ "Kiingitanga and Corrections unite to assist Māori offenders". Māori Television. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  28. ^ "Corrections Department NZ – Partnership Award recognises Kiingitanga". www.corrections.govt.nz. 11 August 2017. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  29. ^ "Māori King and Corrections to build centre for mothers". Radio New Zealand. 6 November 2018. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  30. ^ "King Tuheitia launches new Iwi Māori Panel". Māori Television. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  31. ^ "Kīngi Tūheitia issues call for national hui for unity". Radio New Zealand. 6 December 2023. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  32. ^ Ensor, Jamie (6 December 2023). "Kīngitanga issues 'royal proclamation' for Māori to assemble in face of new Govt policies". Newshub. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  33. ^ Tyson, Jessica (16 January 2024). "Thousands expected at national hui at Tūrangawaewae for mana motuhake action plan". Te Ao Maori News. Maori Television. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  34. ^ Hurihanganui, Te Aniwa (16 January 2024). "More details emerge from Luxon's meeting with Māori King". 1 News. TVNZ. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Thousands attend national hui at Tuurangawaewae Marae". 1 News. 20 January 2024. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  36. ^ a b Pearse, Adam (20 January 2024). "Hui's white supremacy claims against government 'premature', says National minister Tama Potaka". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  37. ^ a b Molyneux, Taiha (22 January 2024). "Kīngi Tūheitia hui: Providing platform for rangatahi key aspect at Ngāruawāhia". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  38. ^ Ngawhika, Ani (22 January 2024). "Sense of unity key at national hui: Ngāi Tahu". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  39. ^ McRoberts, Mike (31 May 2024). "Plans for independent Māori Parliament could be over after Kiingi Tuheitia reveals the idea 'frightens' him". Newshub. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  40. ^ Moir, Jo (19 August 2024). "Politicians of all stripes to attend Māori King's Koroneihana – with one notable absence". RNZ. Archived from the original on 20 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  41. ^ Moir, Jo (21 August 2024). "Winston Peters casts doubt on PM's position on Treaty Principles Bill". RNZ. Archived from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  42. ^ "Māori King Tūheitia dies aged 69, just days after Koroneihana". RNZ News. 30 August 2024. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  43. ^ "Obituary: Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, Māori King, dies at 69". RNZ. 30 August 2024. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024. The position of Māori monarch is not hereditary by right and a new leader is appointed by leaders of the tribes associated with the Kiingitanga on the day of the previous monarch's funeral and before burial.
  44. ^ "Tekau-mā-rua waiting to be finalised". Māori Television. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  45. ^ "Order of St John". The Gazette. No. 59254. 27 November 2009. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  46. ^ "Kiingi Tuheitia coronation commemorations". gg.govt.nz. Office of the Governor-General of New Zealand. 21 August 2016. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  47. ^ "Royal orders presented at Palace". Matangi Tonga. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  48. ^ "Kiingi Tuheitia invested as Knight Commander". Scoop. 9 March 2010. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  49. ^ "Hamilton honours the Māori King". Newshub. 16 August 2016. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  50. ^ "King Tuheitia receives an honorary doctorate". www.waikato.ac.nz. 8 September 2016. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
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Māori royalty
Preceded by Māori monarch
2006–2024 		Vacant
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