Royal Shift: Maori Queen-to-Be Announced as Beloved Monarch Bids Adieu
New Zealand's revered Maori figurehead, Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero, has taken a final bow. After a 18-year reign marked by health struggles such as diabetes, he passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, following heart surgery [1]. He was 69.
As the seventh Maori King, Tuheitia inheredit the throne from his late mother, Te Arikinui, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, reigning for 40 years [2]. The 'Kiingitanga' (Maori Kingship) movement, formed to bridge unity among the Maori people in 1958, governs this esteemed lineage [3].
In the political landscape, Maori Kings may lack direct power, but they hold a significant symbolic and cultural clout, bonding various Maori tribes and projecting a powerful national influence. Their primary role is to advocate for the rights of the indigenous community [4].
Currently, over 900,000 Maori reside in New Zealand, accounting for more than 17% of the population. A poignant sentiment, "A Chief Has Passed," prompted the Ministry of Culture and Heritage to order flags on public buildings to be flown at half-mast as a symbol of deepest mourning and respect [5].
King Charles III Offers Sincere Condolences
New Zealand's Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, commemorated Tuheitia's "unwavering devotion," whose impact will forever echo in New Zealand [5]. King Charles III also offered his "heartfelt condolences" on the demise of the monarch in this Commonwealth country [6].
Tuheitia dedicated himself to fostering a flourishing future for the Maori and New Zealand, rooted in culture, traditions, and healing, achieving this vision with sagacity and empathy. He attended King Charles' coronation in London in May 2023 [7]. Tuheitia's remains will be kept at his residence for a few days before being laid to rest at Taupiri Mountain, a sacred burial site situated approximately 100 kilometers south of Auckland on New Zealand's North Island [8].
Here, he'll find eternal peace beside his mother. Preliminary indications suggest that the funeral will take place on the following Thursday. The Mountain carries profound spiritual significance, with slopes frequently used for burials. Traditionally, tens of thousands of individuals attend such funerals, and noteworthy figures from across the Pacific may also pay their respects [9].
Who Will Take the Throne?
Theo Tuheitia will be succeeded by his daughter, Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō [1]. The announcement was made by the Tekau-mā-Rua on 5 September 2024, the last day of her father's tangihanga [10]. This ceremony, among other traditional Māori customs, involves the following steps:
- Selection by Tekau-mā-Rua [11]
- Ceremonial Anointing [11]
- Confirmation by Chiefs [11]
In practice, every new monarch in the Māori Kingship has been the offspring of the previous monarch, descending from Pōtatau Te Wherowhero to the current Māori queen [12].
The monarchy in New Zealand, specifically the Maori King, plays a symbolic and cultural role in maintaining unity among various Maori tribes and exerting national influence. Tuheitia, the recently departed monarch, proved successful in his endeavor to build a prosperous future for the Maori and New Zealand, grounded in culture, traditions, and healing.
Although King Charles III does not hold political control over the Maori King, he expressed his profound sorrow upon Tuheitia's passing, acknowledging their shared history and mutual respect [6].
Footnotes:
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]
