Kingi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII has died after complications from heart surgery.
He was 69.
Kiingitanga spokesperson Rahui Papa says the king had been in hospital recovering from heart surgery, just days after celebrating the 18th anniversary of his coronation.
He died peacefully early this morning surrounded by his wife Makau Ariki and their children Whatumoana, Korotangi, and Ngawai Hono i te Po.
Veteran Maori journalist Kereama Wright says his legacy will be one of unity.
In January he called a hui a motu that drew more than 10,000 people to Tūrangawaewae Marae.
“I definitely think that Kingi Tuheitia has got the ball rolling, and has achieved that over the last few months, or few, 18 or so months, and the hope is that it’ll continue. Ko tāku inakoā nei, nāna tātou i whakakotahi i te wā ō te ora, āna koia hoki tēnei e whakakotahi i te wā ō te mate,” Mr Wright says
The tupapaku will be brought out onto the mahau of Mahingārangi at 1pm to allow te iwi whānui to mourn.
