Haere ki o nui, ki o rahi i te pล
Nฤu te iwi Mฤori i arahi ki roto i nga whakawhiu o te wฤ
Nฤu ano te motu whฤnui i tiakina ki roto i ลna kaupapa maha
Kua tutuki o mahi katoa
Koutou o te pล ki a koutou
Tฤtou o te ao kikokiko tฤnฤ tฤtou
It is with deep sadness that we have received news of the passing of Tลซheitia Pลtatau Te Wherowhero VII.
It was just over a week ago that we celebrated Koroneihana. In his annual address, Kiingi Tลซheitia called for unity and highlighted the significance of kotahitanga. Rather than focusing on anger at the government, he said โwe need to focus on getting in the waka and working together.โ
Kiingi Tลซheitia has been instrumental in leading the call for unification, hosting a series of hui at Tลซrangawaewae Marae and then travelling the motu to various hui taumata to discuss the issues important to the future prosperity of Mฤori.
In recent weeks the King attended the Olympic games in Paris to support our athletes and bless their newly made korowai for the New Zealand flag bearers. Tลซheitia was the first Mฤori monarch to attend the Olympics representing Mฤori on the world stage.
Behind and always supporting the King is his whanau. Kiingi Tuheitia was also a father, uncle, brother and koro. We acknowledge and send our aroha to his wife Makau Ariki and their children Whatumoana, Korotangi, and Ngawai Hono I Te Po during this difficult time.
โKiingi Tuheitia was a fierce and staunch advocate, voice and leader, not only for Mฤoridom but for a better and more inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand. His commitment to the kaupapa was fearless and unwavering โ thatโs his legacy that weโll all remember fondly,โ Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said.
โWe extend our deepest gratitude to the service, manakitanga, leadership and unwavering dedication of Kiingi Tuheitia to te ao Mฤori and join with others in mourning what is indeed a significant loss to our nation,โ Chris Hipkins said.