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A senior Kiingitanga figure in Tamaki Makaurau says Kingi Tuheitia had promoted Māori to the world.
Download AudioA senior Kiingitanga figure in Tamaki Makaurau says Kiingi Tuheitia had promoted Māori to the world.
Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII died early this morning after heart surgery at the age of 69.
Manurewa Marae chair Tunuiarangi McLean says in his 18 years on the throne the King had worked not only to bring together Māori but he travelled extensively to support Māori and Aotearoa, such as his visit to the New Zealand team at the Paris Olympics.
“Being there when he was chosen to take over the role from our Māori queen Te Atairangikaahu by the motu for me reinforces the saying ‘kingitanga te taonga o te motu, the Kiingitanga movement is the movement of the land,” he says.
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