The Māori king in New Zealand – Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII – has died aged 69 while recovering from a heart surgery.
The Kiingitanga, or Māori king movement, announced the news on Thursday evening saying he died surrounded by his wife and their three children.
Spokesman Rahui Papa said the king died just days after celebrating the 18th anniversary of his coronation.
The king was born Tūheitia Paki in 1955. He was crowned in 2006 following the death of his mother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
Like his mother, King Tuheitia was seen as a great unifying figure – recently calling on Māori to stand together in the face of policies targeting them.
His successor will be chosen by leaders within the Kiingitanga once the burial rites are over.
The Māori king position dates back to 1858, when Māori decided to create a unifying figure similar to that of a European monarch in order to try and prevent the widespread loss of land to New Zealand’s British colonisers and to preserve Māori culture.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to the king on social media, saying: “His 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.”
