King Tuheitia, the leader of New Zealand's Indigenous Maori community, passed away on Friday at the age of 69 while recovering from heart surgery. According to his aides, he has "passed to the great beyond." The king died peacefully, surrounded by his family, just days after marking the 18th anniversary of his coronation. A spokesperson described his passing as "a moment of great sadness," and said, "A chief who has passed to the great beyond. Rest in love."
The Kiingitanga, or Maori King movement, was established in 1858 to unite the Indigenous Maori people of New Zealand under a single leadership. While the role holds substantial symbolic and political influence, it does not have any formal legal power. Currently, Maori make up around 17 percent of New Zealand's population, totaling about 900,000 individuals.
King Charles III, New Zealand’s formal head of state, expressed his shock and sorrow upon hearing the news, having recently spoken with King Tuheitia by phone. “My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the death of Kiingi Tuheitia,” he stated. “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,” he added, using both Maori and English names for the country. King Charles recalled with "immense fondness" his meetings with King Tuheitia in New Zealand in 2015 and at Buckingham Palace the previous year.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon led the nation in paying tribute, with flags on government and public buildings flying at half-mast. “Today, we mourn,” Luxon said in a statement from Tonga, where he is attending the Pacific Islands Forum. He praised King Tuheitia's "unwavering commitment to his people" and his efforts to uphold the values and traditions of the Kiingitanga movement, which have left a lasting impact on the nation. “I will remember his dedication to Aotearoa New Zealand, his commitment to mokopuna (young people), his passion for te ao Maori (customs), and his vision for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect,” Luxon added.
King Tuheitia, the seventh monarch of the Kiingitanga, ascended to the throne in 2006, following the reign of his mother, Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, who led for four decades. Throughout his tenure, King Tuheitia emerged as a significant voice in New Zealand politics, particularly concerning issues related to the country's colonial history.
The European arrival in New Zealand in 1642 brought colonization, anti-Maori discrimination, and violent conflicts, which eventually ceased with the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. This foundational treaty established British control over New Zealand while guaranteeing Maori the same rights as British citizens and preserving their authority over "taonga" or treasured resources, which can include intangible cultural heritage.
Earlier this year, King Tuheitia made a passionate plea for the recognition of whales as possessing the same legal rights as humans, aiming to protect these revered but vulnerable species. He advocated for granting these mammals inherent rights, such as the right to a healthy environment, to ensure the survival and flourishing of their populations.
Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also paid tribute to the late king in a heartfelt Instagram post. “You have been an advocate for Maori, for fairness, justice, and prosperity. You wanted children, young people, and those who have been left behind to have opportunities and hope,” she wrote. “You worked tirelessly on building understanding and knowledge of our shared history and, in doing so, strengthening Aotearoa. And amongst all of that, you made everyone feel welcome — including me. Rest easy now.”
Comments
Post a Comment