‘He was a man of his people’ - Māori remember Kīngi Tūheitia
Friday, 30 August 2024
Just over a week ago, Tūrangawaewae Marae was a place for celebration, as iwi Māori gathered in honour of the 18th anniversary of the coronation of Kīngi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII.
Now, it is a place of mourning and gratitude.
The late winter morning weather warmed as Waikato iwi began to arrive, clothed in black, many walking arm-in-arm, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Maniapoto the first to pay their respects.
Despite the pall of grief and shock, Te Kiingitanga left no stone unturned to provide manaakitanga and warm greetings to arriving manuhiri and whānau alike.
Kīngi Tūheitia died peacefully, aged 69, on Friday morning, a statement from the Kiingitanga said. His wife Makau Ariki, and their children, Whatumoana, Korotangi, and Ngawai Hono I Te Po, were by his side. The King had recently undergone heart surgery.
Āwhina Barrett, one of the multitudes arriving to pay their respects, said Kīngi Tūheitia left behind a legacy of kotahitanga or unity.
“We’re just humbled to be here to share in the kotahitanga of aroha and mamae [hurt] as Tūheitia prepares to go through the gates of heaven,” she said.
“Although his vessal has passed, the spirit of him is with us and the people, which is eternal. For that he is the compass… no matter where we go - north, south, east or west - it will always bring unity to us as a people.”
The King’s call for kotahitanga rang out in December last year when he issued a royal proclamation calling for a national hui to address concerns at the coalition Government’s plans.
Close to 10,000 people attended the King’s hui-ā-motu at Tūrangawaewae Marae in January, heeding the call for kotahitanga, a call that was repeated at Rātana celebrations a week later.
Aotearoa saw another demonstration of kotahitanga soon after as Māoridom descended on Waitangi with a strong and united message for the Government. And then again when Ngāti Kahungunu hosted the second national unity hui in June at Ōmāhu Marae in Hastings.
Ngāi Tahu were to host the next hui-ā-motu in November, an event the King was reportedly excited to attend.
After preparing his ope to enter the marae, Sonny Tahi took some time to reflect on the man they had come to pay tribute to.
“He lived a humble life. A joyful life. He was a mechanic, he was a father, he was a man of his people,” he said.
Tahi said the King did not initially want the title, however, it was not his decision to make.
“Very few words to find at this moment other than tino pouri [deep sadness].
“We need to hold on to his proverb: ‘Come together so we are all together’… that’s all our boss wanted.”
Te-Taima Barrett also reflected on the King’s words, particularly over the past eight months as his Kotahitanga movement gained momentum.
“One whakataukī I’ll always carry in my heart, are the words that he said, ‘Just be Maori every day. We are strong and we are here to stay.’
“Today is a very sad day for the iwi and for people right across the motu. Sending nothing but masses of love and light to the whānau.”
Where to from here?
Veteran broadcaster Julian Wilcox said Kīngi Tūheitia’s death was “a huge loss” for Māoridom.
“Our people want to reflect, we want to acknowledge the tremendous work Kīngi Tūhetia has done,” he said.
“There is a lot of grief but there’s also a lot of reflection on his service, on his aspirations, and the wish and the desire that work be continued.”
Friday and Saturday have been set aside specifically for Waikato iwi to attend and pay their respects, other Waikato and Hauraki iwi will make their way on to Tūrangawaewae on Saturday.
On Sunday, Māoridom from across the country will make their way to the marae to pay their respects.
Wilcox said the nehu or burial, expected to take place on Wednesday but that could change, will not only be a final farewell to Tūheitia, but will also be the day a new monarch is decided on.
“One of the key topics discussed over the next few days, is who should that person be. That is a discussion for the motu,” he said.