Political leaders from across the spectrum have led tributes to Kiingi Tūheitia, who has passed away following heart surgery.

Māori King Tūheitia has died overnight at the age of 69. It comes just days after Koroneihana, commemorations to celebrate Tūheitia’s coronation. A statement issued by the office of the Kīingitanga said Tūheitia passed away peacefully after recovering from heart surgery in Waikato Hospital. “The death of Kiingi Tūheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kīingitanga, Maaoridom and the entire nation,” reads the statement. The death of Kiingi Tūheitia will trigger a period of mourning, with the king to lie in state for five days at Turangawaewae Marae before being taken to his final resting place at Taupiri Mountain. Kīingitanga chief of staff Ngira Simmonds has told RNZ’s Morning Report that a successor will be decided by a group of leaders within the Kīingitanga movement in the days ahead. 

Tūheitia was coronated in August 2006 following the death of his mother, Māori Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, becoming the seventh Māori monarch since the movement’s foundation in 1858. The origins of the Kiingitanga lie in the assertion of mana motuhake, wrote Jamie Tahana for The Spinoff. In the 1850s, when it started to become clear that the Crown wasn’t upholding its side of Te Tiriti, rangatira started to discuss ways of unifying their iwi nations as a means of going toe-to-toe with the British Crown. What developed was the idea of some kind of Māori kingship. 

Tributes have started to roll in from political figures, with acting prime minister Winston Peters leading the government’s acknowledgement to Tūheitia. “Kīngi Tūheitia had served and provided leadership to Kingitanga for just over 18 years. The news is especially saddening having only recently marked the Koroneihana celebrations at Turangawaewae,” said Peters in a statement.

On RNZ, the acting prime minister said he expected the formal farewell to the King would be a major event with representatives from around the world, including the British Royal family. He said details would be confirmed in the days ahead.

Labour’s Willie Jackson told RNZ’s Morning Report that nobody could bring people, and particularly Māori, together like Tūheitia. “I felt he was getting more diplomatic [in his last few years],” he said. “His whanau should be very proud of his legacy… Not all leaders have been preaching unity over the past few months.” Jackson said while there’s “a real anger on the streets”, Tūheitia was really “coming down the other side… really good and really responsible”. He would be remembered as one of Māori’s great leaders.

Chris Hipkins, leader of the Labour Party, joined Jackson in expressing his shock and sadness at the King’s death. “Kiingi Tuheitia was a fierce and staunch advocate, voice and leader, not only for Māoridom but for a better and more inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand,” Hipkins wrote on Twitter. “His commitment to the kaupapa was fearless and unwavering — that’s his legacy that we’ll all remember fondly.”

Traditionally a figurehead, Tūheitia’s role became increasingly political in recent years. In January, as many as 10,000 people came together at Turangawaewae for a national hui which The Spinoff’s Tommy de Silva described as a “tikanga-based, future-focused, all-ages event for people to koorero and waananga about how to hold the government to account”. 

Prime minister Christopher Luxon, who received a cordial but cool welcome to Turangawaewae just over a week ago, said on social media that Tūheitia’s “unwavering commitment to his people and his tireless efforts to uphold the values and traditions of the Kiingitanga have left an indelible mark on our nation”.

He added: “I will remember his dedication to Aotearoa New Zealand, his commitment to mokopuna, his passion for te ao Māori, and his vision for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect. I will also remember the kindness he showed me personally whenever I met with him at Turangawaewae.”

Former prime minister Jacinda Ardern shared a photo of herself with the King on Instagram, calling Tūheitia an “advocate for Maori, for fairness, justice and prosperity”. Ardern, who is currently based in the United States, said the King wanted children, young people, and those who have been left behind to have opportunities and hope. “You worked tirelessly on building understanding and knowledge of our shared history and in doing so, strengthening Aotearoa. And amongst all of that, you made everyone feel welcome – including me.”

This is a developing story. Tributes to the King and information on a formal farewell will continue to trickle in throughout the coming day and be shared here as they become available.