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King Charles III was profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of Kingi Tūheitia, the highly revered Māori king of New Zealand. In a heartfelt message, Charles conveyed his deep sorrow and shared cherished memories of their meetings over the years. The death of Kingi Tūheitia at age 69 leaves behind a remarkable legacy of preserving Māori culture and traditions.
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Charles expressed that he and his wife Camilla were deeply saddened to hear about Kingi Tūheitia's passing. As monarch, Charles had the immense pleasure of knowing Kingi Tūheitia for decades. He acknowledged the late king was wholeheartedly dedicated to building a prosperous future for Māori and Aotearoa New Zealand that was rooted in culture, traditions, and healing - all pursued with wisdom and empathy.
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The British monarch fondly recalled their warm and gracious reception at Tūranga Nui a Kiwa in 2015 and their subsequent meeting at Buckingham Palace last year. Charles noted that he had even recently spoken to Kingi Tūheitia on the phone at the beginning of August, making the news of his death particularly shocking. In this time of profound loss, Charles offered his deepest sympathies to Kingi Tūheitia's beloved whānau and friends, as well as all those grieving his departure.
Kingi Tūheitia, whose full name was Kiingi Tūheitia Paki, had served as the eighth Māori king since 2006. As the leader and symbol of the Kīngitanga movement, he played a vital role in upholding Māori values and traditions. Only days before his passing, Kingi Tūheitia had celebrated the 18th anniversary of his coronation on August 21. However, he had recently undergone heart surgery and was hospitalized.
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On Thursday evening GMT (Friday morning in New Zealand), social media was used by the Kīngitanga movement to announce the sad news of Kingi Tūheitia's death at the young age of 69. Rahui Papa, a spokesperson for the movement, expressed the immense sadness felt by followers of the Kīngitanga and all of New Zealand at the loss of such an esteemed chief.
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Established in 1858, the role of the Māori king symbolizes unity and resistance during a time of threats to indigenous rights and lands from European colonial expansion. Reflecting on Kingi Tūheitia's life and service, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern paid tribute to his unwavering dedication and resolute commitment to his people, as well as his efforts upholding the values of the Kīngitanga movement.
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While serving as king, Tūheitia declined a chance for his whānau to meet Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2014, finding the proposed short meeting time insufficient. However, in May 2023 he had the privilege of attending King Charles III's coronation in London as an honored guest. Moreover, Kingi Tūheitia and Charles shared a private moment together before the majestic ceremony. Their friendship stretched back to 2015, when Tūheitia and his wife warmly welcomed Charles and Camilla to Tūranga Nui a Kiwa.
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The passing of this great chief who journeyed to the vast beyond leaves behind a lasting impression. Through his leadership spanning nearly two decades, Kingi Tūheitia worked tirelessly to preserve Māori culture and the traditional way of life. Charles joins the people of New Zealand in mourning the loss of such a dedicated leader who made an indelible mark on the nation. Kingi Tūheitia will long be remembered for devoting his life's work to advocating for and empowering Māori communities.
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