King Charles ‘profoundly saddened’ as he leads tributes to New Zealand’s Maori King Tuhetia after his death aged 69

KING Charles has said he is “profoundly sad” to learn of the passing of New Zealand’s Maori king who has died aged 69.

Kiingi Tuheitia died surrounded by his wife and three children on Thursday just days after celebrating 18 years on the throne.

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An official statement from the Maori king movement said: “Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has died peacefully… accompanied by his wife Makau Ariki and their children Whatumoana, Korotangi and Ngawai Hono I Te Po.”

Spokesman Rahui Papa said King Tuheitia had been in hospital recovering from heart surgery when he passed away yesterday.

King Charles shared a touching tribute to his friend on Thursday evening: “My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the death of Kiingi Tuheitia.

“I had the greatest pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades.

“He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Māori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion.”

Speaking fondly of their time together, the King wrote: “I remember with immense fondness meeting Kiingi Tuheitia many times, including when Her Majesty and I were hosted so warmly and graciously at the Tuurangawaewae Marae in 2015, and then again during our meeting at Buckingham Palace last year.

“His death is a particular shock in view of the fact that I had only very recently spoken to Kiingi on the telephone at the beginning of August.

“My wife and I extend our deepest condolences to Kiingi Tuheitia’s whaanau and friends and all those who will mourn his loss.

“Our special thoughts and prayers will be with you at this most difficult and heartbreaking of times.”

The tribute from Buckingham Palace added a line in Maori: “Kua hinga te tōtara i Te Waonui a Tāne.  (A mighty Totora tree has fallen.)”

King Tuheitia is expected to lie in state for five days at the seat of the Maori King, Turangawaewae Marae, on the country’s North Island.

He will then be buried on Taupiri Mountain.

The Maori throne dates back to 1858 when the Maori – the  indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand – created the position in an attempt to prevent a widespread loss of land to British colonisers.

The role is mostly ceremonial.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to him on social media, writing: “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.”

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