April 18, 2023
Māori king part of Coronation delegation
King Tuheitia has been invited to attend the coronation of King Charles III on May 6.
Chief of staff Ngira Simmonds says the king and his wife Te Atawhai are attending to honour the longstanding relationship between the royal households, dating back to the establishment of the Kiingitanga movement in 1858, during the reign of Queen Victoria.
He says the monarchies are enduring institutions that share a common commitment to stability and continuity and unity.
The Kiingitanga will continue to hold the Crown accountable for its role as a partner to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will also attend the wedding along with a delegation of prominent New Zealanders and community representatives including Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro and Dr Richard Davies, Opposition leader Christopher Luxon, former All Black Captain Ritchie McCaw representing the Order of New Zealand, Victoria Cross winner Willie Apiata, Abdul Aziz who won the New Zealand Cross for confronting the Christchurch mosque gunman, Dame Naida Glavish and Lorraine Toki, Ben Appleton from the Ngāti Rānana London Māori Club, and Sergeant Hayden Smith, the flag bearer selected by the New Zealand Defence Force