Tūheitia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII |
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| Te Kiingi | |||||||||
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Kīngi Tūheitia in 2021
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| Māori King | |||||||||
| Tenure | 21 August 2006 – 30 August 2024 | ||||||||
| Coronation | 21 August 2006 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu | ||||||||
| Successor | Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō | ||||||||
| Born | Tūheitia Paki 21 April 1955 Huntly, Waikato, New Zealand |
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| Died | 30 August 2024 (aged 69) Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand |
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| Makau Ariki | Te Atawhai | ||||||||
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| Kāhui Ariki | Te Wherowhero | ||||||||
| Father | Whatumoana Paki | ||||||||
| Mother | Te Atairangikaahu | ||||||||
Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII (born Tūheitia Paki, 21 April 1955 – 30 August 2024) was the Māori King from 2006 until his death. He was known as Kīngi Tūheitia. He was the oldest son of the previous Māori monarch, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. He became King on 21 August 2006, the last day of his mother's funeral (called a tangi).
Kīngi Tūheitia was a patron of Te Matatini, a big Māori cultural festival. He also supported Kirikiriroa Marae in Hamilton. In 2017, he worked with the Department of Corrections. This led to special groups called iwi justice panels. These panels help people who have been in trouble with the law. He also helped create centres for mothers in prison.
Kīngi Tūheitia traveled a lot and met other leaders. He met Charles III at his coronation in 2023. He also spoke up for Māori people affected by climate change, especially after Cyclone Gabrielle. The Kīngitanga (Māori King movement) is involved in politics. In January 2024, Kīngi Tūheitia held a big meeting for Māori unity. This meeting was a response to new government policies. The Kīngitanga felt these policies would harm Māori rights. Kīngi Tūheitia had health problems throughout his life. He died in 2024 after heart surgery. His daughter, Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō, became the new Māori Queen.
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Family Life
Tūheitia was the son of Whatumoana Paki (1926–2011) and Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu (1931–2006). They got married in 1952. He went to school at Rakaumanga School in Huntly. He also studied at Southwell School in Hamilton and St. Stephen's College. He had five sisters and one brother.
He was married to Te Atawhai. She has the title Makau Ariki. They had three children: Whatumoana, Korotangi, and Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō. After Tūheitia became King, Te Atawhai became a patron of the Māori Women's Welfare League. She also supported Te Kohao Health, a Māori health group.
In 2013, Kīngi Tūheitia was not well. He set up Te Kaunihera a te Kiingi (King's Council). He also asked his oldest son, Whatumoana, to act for him. Whatumoana was given the title Te Whirinaki a te Kīngi. This title means "the King's representative."
King's Duties and Role
The King usually spoke to the public once a year. This was during the celebrations of his coronation in Ngāruawāhia. He attended many events each year, both in New Zealand and overseas.
His official duties included going to:
- The funeral of King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV of Tonga in 2006.
- The opening of "Mauri Ora," a Māori art show in Japan in 2007.
- The funeral of Malietoa Tanumafili II of Samoa in 2007.
- The opening of the Māori garden in Hamilton Gardens in 2008.
- A special haka and speech for 110 waka (canoes) in 2018. This marked 160 years of the Kīngitanga.
- The coronation of Charles III and Camilla in London in 2023.
Kīngi Tūheitia was a patron for important groups. These included Te Matatini, the world's largest Māori cultural festival. He also supported Kirikiriroa Marae in Hamilton. He often welcomed important visitors from other countries. These visitors included diplomats and members of other royal families. In 2014, he met 26 diplomats to talk about international interests for the Kīngitanga.
In 2009, Kīngi Tūheitia visited the New Zealand Parliament. He was also with former Prime Minister Helen Clark when she went to the United Nations. The King often went to important Māori events around the country. In 2018, he attended the 150th celebrations of the Ringatu Church. He also often went to the annual celebrations of the Ratana Church. He wanted to show his support for all churches and bring people together.
In 2019, Kīngi Tūheitia visited the Vatican City. He met Pope Francis in a private meeting. They talked about issues important to Māori people and other indigenous groups. Kīngi Tūheitia invited the Pope to visit Tūrangawaewae marae and New Zealand. After Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, Kīngi Tūheitia visited the damaged areas. He helped with rebuilding efforts on the East Coast.
Poukai: Helping the Community
The Poukai are yearly visits by the Māori King to different marae (meeting grounds). This tradition started in the 19th century. The second Māori King, Tāwhiao, created the Poukai. He said they were to "feed the widowed, the bereaved and the destitute." It was a way to help many people and share food.
There are 29 Poukai every year, and Kīngi Tūheitia attended all of them. Poukai are very important events for the Kīngitanga. They focus on helping those who have lost loved ones, those who are widowed, and those who are poor. These events, led by the King, aim to ease people's difficulties.
Political Involvement
Kīngi Tūheitia was involved in many political issues, especially those affecting Māori people.
In 2017, Kīngi Tūheitia signed an agreement with the Department of Corrections. This agreement led to "iwi justice panels." These panels are a different way to deal with justice. They aim to reduce the number of Māori people in prison. Kīngi Tūheitia also worked with Corrections to build a centre for mothers in prison. He visited mothers and their children in prison. He promised to do more for all people in prison.
National Hui in 2024
In December 2023, Kīngi Tūheitia called for a national hui (meeting). This meeting was to bring Māori people together. It was a response to the new government's policies. The Kīngitanga felt these policies would go against the Treaty of Waitangi. They believed it would undo "decades of hard fought justice." The national hui took place at Tūrangawaewae marae on 20 January 2024.
Before the hui, Kīngi Tūheitia met with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. They talked about the government's plans for the Treaty of Waitangi. They also discussed plans to reduce the use of the Māori language in public services. Kīngi Tūheitia's chaplain said the King would continue to speak Māori no matter what the government decided.
About 10,000 people attended the national hui. Many important people were there, including former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley. Kīngi Tūheitia spoke to the attendees. He said, "the best protest we can do right now is be Māori." He urged the government not to change the Treaty of Waitangi. He also said that other indigenous groups around the world supported the Māori cause. Kīngi Tūheitia attended another national hui in May 2024.
18th Coronation Anniversary
In August 2024, Kīngi Tūheitia's 18th koroneihana (coronation anniversary) was held. It took place at Tūrangawaewae Marae. Leaders from different political parties were invited. Most parties accepted the invitation.
Death
Kīngi Tūheitia died on 30 August 2024. He was 69 years old. He passed away in hospital in Hamilton after heart surgery. A new monarch was chosen by Māori leaders on the day of his funeral.
Advisory Councils
Each Māori monarch has an advisory council called the Tekau-mā-Rua (the Twelve). This council gives advice to the King. In the past, these members were all men from the King's own tribe, Tainui. Kīngi Tūheitia decided to bring back the Tekau-mā-Rua. But he made sure members came from outside the Waikato region. He also included women.
Kīngi Tūheitia also set up a spiritual council called Te Kāhui Wairua. This council has members from different churches. Both councils work together. They give advice and help guide the King and the Kīngitanga.
Honours and Awards
- In 2009, Queen Elizabeth II made Kīngi Tūheitia a Knight of the Venerable Order of Saint John. He received the award in 2016.
- He was also made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Tonga. This happened during the coronation of King George Tupou V of Tonga.
- In 2010, he became a Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lazarus.
- In 2016, the mayor of Hamilton gave him the city's highest honour, the Freedom of the City. In the same year, he also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Waikato.
Images for kids
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Māori leaders at Rātana Pā in 2012. (L-R) Harerangi Meihana, Sir Tumu Te Heuheu, Kingi Tūheitia and Sir Jerry Mateparae
See also
In Spanish: Tuheitia Paki para niños
