Mourning Kiingi Tūheitia
As one monarch is laid to rest among his ancestors, his successor will be raised to the throne.
After six days of solemnity, tears, song and reflection four mighty waka and both the aroha and strong shoulders of tens of thousands of mourners will carry Kingi Tuheita to rest with his forebears.
Today marks the crowning of the next in line to lead the Kiingitanga and the culmination of the tangihanga of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII with up to 100,000 people expected to pour into Ngāruawāhia.
“The funeral represents that last moment where Kiingi Tūheitia the person becomes Kiingi Tūheitia the ancestor,” chief of staff for the late King, Ngira Simmonds says.
On a warm spring Wednesday, thousands again gathered at Turangawaewae with locals and wishers from far and wide joining political and iwi leaders, Defence Force brass and even a war hero at the marae.
Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters and his NZ First deputy Shane Jones was joined by fellow coalition and ACT party leader David Seymour, while Opposition leader Chris Hipkins arrived with a Labour contingent earlier in the day.
Māoridom’s strong contribution to the Defence Forces was marked with visiting dignitaries but also a familiar face – Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata quietly chatting to children between exchanging hongi while waiting for the call onto the marae.
It’s been nearly two decades since the Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu was farewelled in a widely televised spectacle that saw the Waikato seat of the Kingiitanga brimming with both people and grief.
The tangihanga for Tuheitia is expected to mirror that occasion, with formalities before a two-hour journey by four waka down the ancestral river of Tainui to the tribe’s sacred resting place atop Taupiri Mountain.
While a day of sorrow marking the ending of one life, it’s also one of new beginnings. The day will begin with Tekau-maa-rua (the Kiingitanga advisory council) ushering the new Māori monarch, decided in the days before, to the throne in a ceremony known as the Whakawahinga or “raising up”.
The ceremony occurs in front of their predecessor because “the two are connected and cannot be separated,” Simmonds says.
“All of the aspects of the funeral rite come from the teachings of the King’s ancestors. It’s always been a long-held tradition for us that we farewell the previous monarch and welcome the new monarch at the same time.”
The King has three children, all in their late 20s to early 30s – the eldest son Te Ariki Tamaaroa Whatumoana Paki has at times been put forward as an option to follow, while in recent years Tukeitia’s only daughter Te Ariki Tapairu Ngawai Hono i Te Po has also been seen as a promising successor.
Whoever the choice, the Tumuaki (Kingmaker), Hone Taamihana will then place a bible on the head of the monarch, the same that was used to raise up the first Māori King Pootatau Te Wherowhero in 1858.
After the ceremony comes the funeral service for Kiingi Tuheitia following which he will be taken from Turangawaewae Marae to the banks of the Waikato River by a guard of honour consisting of members of Ngaati Maahanga and the New Zealand Defence Force.
The casket will be taken over to Taupiri Maunga where members of the Turangawaewae and Taniwharau rugby league clubs, and rope handlers from Raungaiti Rugby Club will carry Kiingi Tūheita to the summit.
Following the interment, the funeral procession will return to Turangawaewae Marae where Tekau-maa-rua will lead Whare Ariki (Members of the Royal House) onto the marae, followed by a haakari (feast) to conclude the tangihanga.