👑 Heavy Hearts Across the Seas"
King Charles III, the current monarch of England, took to Instagram to express his sorrow following the passing of Kingi Tuheitia in Aotearoa New Zealand. In his heartfelt post, he stated, "My wife and I are absolutely devastated upon learning about Kingi Tuheitia's demise." He went on to recall, "I've known Kingi for decades."
Born in 1955 and passing away at the age of 69, Kingi Tuheitia, the true title of the Maori King, left us on a Friday as confirmed by the Kiingitanga (Maori King Movement) to the "PA" news agency. Having fully recovered from a heart operation, the Maori King had been doing well before his untimely death.
Charles held Kingi Tuheitia in high regard, appreciating his unwavering dedication to the betterment of indigenous New Zealanders. He commended the late king's efforts to preserve culture, traditions, and promote healing, all done with wisdom and empathy.
Sharing memories of their past interactions, the King recalled, "The warm welcome and heartfelt reception at Tuurangawaewae Marae back in 2015, and our meeting at Buckingham Palace last year." The relationship between the royal family and the Maori King originated during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, with both sharing the same birthday (April 21st).
King Charles III, in a personal and emotional message, revealed his shock upon learning about Kingi Tuheitia's death, as they had only communicated not long ago in early August. Reflecting on the loss, he poignantly stated, "The mighty Totora tree has fallen."
Extending his condolences to the deceased king's family, friends, and all the mourning hearts, Charles expressed his deepest sympathies: "Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this challenging and unexpected time." In Maori, he wrote, "Our family, whaanau, mourns with you."
Kingi Tuheitia was seen as a powerful symbol of unity for the indigenous Maori community in New Zealand. Many politicians and the general public have taken to social media to share their condolences following the news of his demise.
King Charles III reflected on their longstanding relationship, stating, "I've known Kingi for decades and have fond memories of our interactions, including our meeting at Buckingham Palace last year." Showing his immense respect, Charles referred to himself as "King" in his condolence message, stating, "As King Charles the Third, I am saddened to learn of the demise of Kingi Tuheitia."
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Kingi Tuheitia, the seventh Māori monarch, played a significant role in unifying the indigenous Māori community in New Zealand. Although detailed efforts in achieving unity are not extensively documented, the Māori King movement symbolizes the collective aspirations and cultural identity of the Māori people as a unifying force. The movement aims to promote Māori unity and assert Māori rights and interests in the face of colonial expansion and cultural suppression, transcending the Waikato region and reaching various iwi (tribes) across New Zealand. However, not all iwi follow the Kīngitanga[1].
