Tūheitia Paki Explained

Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII
Te Kīngi Māori
Reign:21 August 2006 – present
Coronation:21 August 2006
Predecessor:Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu
Regent:Whatumoana Te Aa (formerly Te Ariki Tamaroa)
Reg-Type:Whirinaki-a-te-Kiingi (2013)
Spouse:Te Atawhai
Spouse-Type:Makau Ariki
Consort:yes
House-Type:Kāhui Ariki
Royal House:Te Wherowhero
Birth Name:Tūheitia Paki
Full Name:Pōtatau Te Wherowhero Tāwhiao Mahuta Te Rata Koroki Te Atairangikāhu Tūheitia
Regnal Name:Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII
Father:Whatumoana Paki
Mother:Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu
Birth Date:21 April 1955
Birth Place:Huntly, New Zealand
Succession:Māori King

Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII (born Tūheitia Paki, 21 April 1955), crowned as Kīngi Tūheitia, is the Māori King. He is the eldest son of the previous Māori monarch, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, and was announced as her successor and crowned on 21 August 2006, the day her tangihanga (funeral rites) took place.

Family

King Tūheitia (born Tūheitia Paki) is the son of Whatumoana Paki (1926–2011) and Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu (1931–2006), who married in 1952. He was educated at Rakaumanga School in Huntly, Southwell School in Hamilton and St. Stephen's College (Te Kura o Tipene) in Bombay, south of Auckland. He has five sisters and one brother: Heeni Katipa (Paki); Tomairangi Paki; Mihi ki te ao Paki; Kiki Solomon (Paki); Manawa Clarkson (Paki), and brother Maharaia Paki.[1]

He is married to Makau Ariki Te Atawhai and they have three children: Whatumoana, Korotangi, and Ngawai Hono I Te Po.[2] [3] Following his ascent to the throne, the Makau Ariki was appointed patron of the Māori Women's Welfare League in 2007[4] and Te Kohao Health,[5] a Māori public health organisation.

Duties and background

The King generally speaks publicly only once a year, at the annual celebrations in Ngāruawāhia of his coronation.[6] Since ascending to the throne his official duties have included attending the following events:

Tūheitia attends hundreds of events every year both nationally and internationally. He is the patron to several key organisations; including Te Matatini,[14] the largest Māori Cultural Festival in the world, Kirikiriroa Marae[5] a large urban Marae in Hamilton.

He frequently receives international dignitaries, foreign diplomats, members of other royal families, and members of governments.[15] In 2014 the King notably received 26 diplomats[16] to discuss international and trade interests for the Kīngitanga.

In 2009 King Tūheitia visited the New Zealand Parliament and was acknowledged in the valedictory speech of the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark.[17] In the same year, the King accompanied Helen Clark to the United Nations upon her appointment as the United Nations Development Programme administrator.[18]

The King regularly attends significant events of Māoridom up and down the country. In July 2018, the King and Royal family attended the 150th Celebrations of the Ringatu Church; to which the King's eldest grandson, Hikairo, has been baptised.[19] The King also frequently attends the annual 25 January celebrations of the Ratana Church expressing his continued support for all denominations and his deep desire to unify the people.[20]

In 2018, to honour King Tūheitia and his leadership of the Kīngitanga, the General Synod of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, journeyed to Turangawaewae Marae to join with the multitudes in honouring the 160 years of this Monarchy.[21]

In May 2019, King Tūheitia and members of the Whare Ariki travelled to Italy where the King met Pope Francis in a private audience at the Vatican. The two met and discussed issues pertaining to Te Iwi Maori and indigenous peoples around the world. King Tūheitia also issued a formal invitation for the Pope to visit Turangawaewae Marae and Aotearoa.[22]

Poukai

The Poukai[23] is an annual series of visits by the Māori King to marae around and beyond the Tainui region, a tradition that dates back to the 19th century. Poukai were established by the second Māori King, Tāwhiao, who said "Kua whakatūria e ahau tēnei kaupapa hei whāngai i te pouaru, te pani me te rawakore, he kuaha whānui kua puare ki te puna tangata me te puna kai" (I have instituted this gathering to feed the widowed, the bereaved and the destitute, it is a doorway that has been opened to the multitudes of people and the bounty of food).[24]

There are 29 Poukai every year and King Tūheitia attends each one. Poukai are a critical event in the Kīngitanga calendar. A unique element of Poukai is their focus on: te pani (the bereaved), te pouaru (the widowed) and te rawakore (the destitute). These events, led by the monarch, are put in place to assist and help ease the burdens and challenges faced by people.

Political involvement

King Tūheitia has been at the forefront of many political issues, particularly pertaining to Māori. In 2014 the King received a group from White Ribbon NZ who were travelling New Zealand promoting an anti-violence campaign.[25]

In 2017, King Tūheitia led a groundbreaking moment for the Kīngitanga by signing a formal Accord with the Minister of Corrections, Louise Lupton of the Department of Corrections, on behalf of the New Zealand Government.[26] This award-winning[27] Accord led to the development of the Iwi Justice Panels, and also a further partnership venture with Corrections to build a reintegration Center for incarcerated women who gave birth to a child while in prison.[28] In an exclusive visit to a women's prison in Auckland, the King visited mothers and their children and pledged to do more for all incarcerated people.

In 2018 the King launched, in collaboration with the New Zealand Police and Ministry of Justice, the Iwi Justice Panel.[29] This approach to restorative justice aims to reduce incarceration rates among Māori, which are among the highest for an indigenous people in the world.

2024 national hui

In December 2023, King Tūheitia issued a royal proclamation to hold a national hui (meeting) to promote Māori unity in January 2024. The hui was in response to the Kīngitanga movement's concerns that the new National-led coalition government's policies towards the Treaty of Waitangi would reverse "decades of hard fought justice."[30] [31] The national hui is scheduled to be held at Turangawaewae Marae on 20 January 2024. Key topics expected to be discussed at the hui include the Government's proposed to abolish Te Aka Whai Ora (the Māori Health Authority), roll back the use of the Māori language in the public service, repeal the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022 and review the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.[32]

On 15 January 2024, King Tūheitia met with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka and discussed several of the Government's policies including the proposed Treaty Principles legislation and plans to roll back the use of Māori language in the public service. The King's chaplain, Archdeacon Simmonds, stated that the King would continue to speak Māori regardless of Government policy and direction.[33]

On 20 January, 10,000 people attended the national hui at Tuurangawaewae Marae including former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, activist and artist Tame Iti, former New Zealand First and National MP Tau Henare, and former Te Pāti Māori president Tukoroirangi Morgan, and National MPs Tama Potaka and Dan Bidois (who attended as government representatives).[34] [35] The national hui commenced with five workshops focusing on the Māori language, Treaty of Waitangi, national identity, oranga tangata and oranga taiao followed by a plenary session. Tūheitia addressed attendees at 4pm.[36]

During his address, Tūheitia stated that "the best protest we can do right now is be Māori, be who we are, live our values, speak our reo (language), care for our mokopuna (children)." He also said that the world was watching and urged the Government not to tamper with the Treaty of Waitangi in its proposed legislation. Tuheitia also said that other indigenous nations were supporting the Māori cause and that the kohanga movement had a new generation of leaders.[37] Potaka defended Luxon's decision not to attend the national hui and disputed several of the speakers' claims that the Government was underpinned by White supremacy.

Tekau-ma-Rua and Te Kahui Wairua

In 2012 King Tūheitia formally established his Tekau-mā-Rua (the twelve, an advisory council);[38] each monarch has had a Tekau-mā-Rua to offer advice and act as a senior council within the Kīngitanga. He also added a spiritual council, called Te Kāhui Wairua. These two councils work together in providing advice, guidance and a strategic platform for the King and the Kīngitanga. For the first time for the Kīngitanga, King Tūheitia's Tekau-mā-Rua is made up of members from outside of the Waikato tribal region (the King's direct tribe).

Tekau-mā-Rua

MemberKarangatanga (representative area)
Rikirangi Gage (Chairperson)Te Whānau-ā-Apanui
(Vacant)Tauranga Moana
Sir Pou TemaraNgāi Tūhoe
Te Kahautu MaxwellTe Whakatohea
Sir Toby CurtisTe Arawa
Che WilsonTe Wainuiarua-Whanganui
Sir Herewini ParataNgāti Porou
Hemana ManueraNgāti Awa
Jerry HapukuNgāti Kahungunu
Wharehoka WanoTaranaki
(Vacant)Taitokerau
Mema ĀpitiCompanion Members
Prue KapuaMāori Women's Welfare League
Dame Iritana TawhiwhirangiTe Kōhanga Reo
Sir Taihakurei DurieNZ Māori Council

Te Kāhui Wairua

MemberKarangatanga (Denomination)
Tumuaki Rev. Diana Tana (Chairperson)Te Hāhi Weteriana / The Methodist Church
Rev. Rex NathanTe Hāhi Weteriana / The Methodist Church
Apotoro Takiwa Joe EverittTe Hāhi Ratana / The Ratana Church
Rev. Wayne Te KaawaTe Aka Puaho / The Presbyterian Church
Rev. Mahaki AlbertTe Aka Puaho / The Presbyterian Church
(Vacant)
Poutikanga Wirangi PeraTe Hāhi Ringatu / The Ringatu Church
Ven. Ngira SimmondsTe Hāhi Mihinare / The Anglican Church
Rt. Rev'd Ngarahu KateneTe Hāhi Mihinare / The Anglican Church
(Vacant)Te Hāhi Katorika / The Catholic Church

Honours

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Yvonne . Tahana . Obituary: Whatumoana Paki . . 24 September 2011 . 16 August 2014 . 24 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190424103558/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10753977 . live .
  2. Web site: Mahi . Website of the Kiingitanga . Office of the Kiingitanga . 16 August 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150210103246/http://www.kiingitanga.com/about-the-king/ . 10 February 2015.
  3. Web site: Elder son to stand in for ill King Tuheitia . 17 September 2022 . NZ Herald . en-NZ . 20 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171826/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/elder-son-to-stand-in-for-ill-king-tuheitia/F3BLSYYFILIDG7S2EHTPOHOGV4/ . live .
  4. Web site: Speech to the Maori Women's Welfare League National Conference – Rt Hon John Key . johnkey.co.nz . 2011 . 10 July 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110707111817/http://www.johnkey.co.nz/archives/240-SPEECH-Speech-to-the-Maori-Womens-Welfare-League-National-Conference.html . 7 July 2011.
  5. Web site: Our History . Te Kohao Health . www.tekohaohealth.co.nz. 4 February 2019 . dead . 24 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190124201754/https://www.tekohaohealth.co.nz/ourhistory.php.
  6. News: Maori King speaks of challenges . nzherald.co.nz . 22 October 2011 . Nikki . Preston . 22 August 2011 . 7 October 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111007110036/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/te-reo-maori/news/article.cfm?c_id=336&objectid=10746653 . live .
  7. Web site: Mauri Ora: Treasures from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa – Tokyo National Museum, Japan. https://web.archive.org/web/20090905021616/http://tepapa.govt.nz/AboutUs/Media/MediaReleases/2006/Pages/MauriOra.aspx. dead. 5 September 2009.
  8. Web site: Mauri Ora: Treasures from Museum of NZ in Japan | Scoop News. 2 January 2007. 30 September 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070930013114/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0612/S00093.htm. live.
  9. Web site: New Zealands first Maori Garden opens to the public . scoop.co.nz . 2010 . As part of the Productive Garden Collection at Hamilton Gardens, Te Parapara was officially opened in 2008 by His Excellency Anand Satyanand and Te Arikinui Tuheitia Paki, the Maori King. However, December's unveiling will open an area housing a number of precious artisan carvings which were previously inaccessible to the public. . 25 November 2011 . 25 August 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160825200527/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1012/S00118/new-zealands-first-maori-garden-opens-to-the-public.htm . live .
  10. Web site: Coney . Sandra . New pou for Arataki visitor centre Piha Piha Beach Piha New Zealand . www.piha.co.nz . 5 May 2011 . 7 June 2018 . 5 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180605074013/http://www.piha.co.nz/new-pou-for-aarataki-visitor-centre/ . live .
  11. News: Black . Taroi . King Tuheitia performs powerful haka . 7 June 2018 . Māori Television . 6 May 2018 . en . 10 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180610141023/http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/king-tuheitia-performs-powerful-haka . live .
  12. News: Papal audience: Māori King invites Pope Francis to New Zealand. TVNZ. 20 June 2019. en-NZ. 20 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190620231106/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/papal-audience-m-ori-king-invites-pope-francis-new-zealand. live.
  13. News: Chris Hipkins arrives in UK ahead of King's coronation. 1news. 6 May 2023. en-NZ. 5 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230505103230/https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/05/03/chris-hipkins-arrives-in-uk-ahead-of-kings-coronation/. live.
  14. Web site: Patron. 26 July 2018. Te Matatini. en. 4 February 2019. 24 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190124201656/https://www.tematatini.co.nz/about-us/our-people/patron/. live.
  15. News: Jacinda Ardern meets with Maori King Tuheitia at Turangawaewae Marae. TVNZ. 4 February 2019. en-NZ. 4 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190204231024/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jacinda-ardern-meets-maori-king-tuheitia-turangawaewae-marae. live.
  16. Web site: Trade on the agenda at Turangawaewae. Stuff. 20 August 2014. en. 4 February 2019. 4 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190204231700/http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/10406802/Trade-on-the-agenda-at-Turangawaewae. live.
  17. Web site: Clark, Helen: Valedictory Statement . New Zealand Parliament . 2 March 2020 . 2 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200302101348/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/49HansS_20090408_00001088/clark-helen-valedictory-statement . live .
  18. News: Maori King joins Clark's UN trip. Young. Audrey. Yvonne. Tahana. 17 April 2009. 4 February 2019. en-NZ. 1170-0777. 4 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190204231034/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10567254. live.
  19. Web site: 150 years of Ringatu Faith. Kani. Shaan Te. gisborneherald.co.nz. en. 4 February 2019.
  20. Web site: Ratana strengthens ties with Kingitanga. Māori Television. en. 7 February 2019. 9 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190209125732/https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/ratana-strengthens-ties-kingitanga. live.
  21. Web site: Anglican Taonga : New Zealand's Anglican News Leader . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190204174357/http://www.anglicantaonga.org.nz/news/general_synod/relate_haahi . 4 February 2019 . 4 February 2019 . www.anglicantaonga.org.nz.
  22. Web site: The Māori King has met with Pope Francis in Rome. Stuff. 27 May 2019. en. 20 June 2019. 20 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190620231059/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/113027915/the-mori-king-has-met-with-pope-francis-in-rome. live.
  23. Encyclopedia: Waikato region – Te Kīngitanga, 1880 onwards – Poukai marae . Nancy . Swarbrick . 1 July 2015 . . 15 January 2024.
  24. Web site: Poukai 2018 . 12 December 2017 . Ngati Haua Iwi Trust. en-NZ. 7 February 2019. 9 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124333/https://ngatihauaiwitrust.co.nz/poukai-2018/. live.
  25. Web site: What an honour with King Tuheitia – with Sue Justsue, Dempsey Broad, David White, Rawiri Ma and Peter Kelly Porter.. 1 December 2014. White Ribbon New Zealand. en-US. 4 February 2019. 4 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190204174350/https://whiteribbon.org.nz/2014/12/01/what-we-did-this-white-ribbon-day/what-an-honour-with-king-tuheitia-with-sue-justsue-dempsey-broad-david-white-rawiri-ma-and-peter-kelly-porter/. live.
  26. Web site: Kiingitanga and Corrections unite to assist Māori offenders. Māori Television. en. 4 February 2019. 4 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190204174546/https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/kiingitanga-and-corrections-unite-assist-maori-offenders. live.
  27. Web site: Corrections Department NZ – Partnership Award recognises Kiingitanga. 11 August 2017. www.corrections.govt.nz. en-NZ. 4 February 2019. 4 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190204174608/https://www.corrections.govt.nz/news/latest_news/2017/partnership_award_recognises_kiingitanga.html. dead.
  28. Web site: Māori King and Corrections to build centre for mothers. 6 November 2018. Radio New Zealand. en-nz. 4 February 2019. 4 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190204174627/https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/371343/maori-king-and-corrections-to-build-centre-for-mothers. live.
  29. Web site: King Tuheitia launches new Iwi Māori Panel. Māori Television. en. 4 February 2019. 4 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190204174550/https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/king-tuheitia-launches-new-iwi-maori-panel. dead.
  30. News: Kīngi Tūheitia issues call for national hui for unity . 18 January 2024 . . 6 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240114172505/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/504018/kingi-tuheitia-issues-call-for-national-hui-for-unity . 14 January 2024.
  31. News: Ensor . Jamie . Kīngitanga issues 'royal proclamation' for Māori to assemble in face of new Govt policies . 18 January 2024 . . 6 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231205182705/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/12/k-ngitanga-issues-royal-proclamation-for-m-ori-to-assemble-in-face-of-new-govt-policy.html . 5 December 2023.
  32. News: Tyson . Jessica . Thousands expected at national hui at Tūrangawaewae for mana motuhake action plan . 18 January 2024 . Te Ao Maori News . . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240115234057/https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2024/01/15/thousands-expected-at-national-hui-at-turangawaewae-to-lay-down-ideas-for-mana-motuhake/ . 15 January 2024. live.
  33. News: Hurihanganui . Te Aniwa . More details emerge from Luxon’s meeting with Māori King . 18 January 2024 . . . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116111918/https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/01/16/more-details-emerge-from-luxons-meeting-with-maori-king/ . 16 January 2024.
  34. News: Thousands attend national hui at Tuurangawaewae Marae . 22 January 2024 . . 20 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240120225712/https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/01/20/thousands-descend-on-tuurangawaewae-marae-for-national-hui/ . 20 January 2024. live.
  35. News: Pearse . Adam . Hui’s white supremacy claims against government ‘premature’, says National minister Tama Potaka . 22 January 2024 . . 20 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240121234314/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/nationals-tama-potaka-speaks-to-national-hui-at-ngaruawahia/RB5ZYOP4OZGDXKVDABLUMAR7MA/ . 21 January 2024.
  36. News: Molyneux . Taiha . Kīngi Tūheitia hui: Providing platform for rangatahi key aspect at Ngāruawāhia . 22 January 2024 . . 22 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240121225800/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kingi-tuheitia-hui-providing-platform-for-rangatahi-key-aspect-at-ngaruawahia/6PKMJ7Y6YVGD3PFSPN7EUY3BBE/ . 21 January 2024.
  37. News: Ngawhika . Ani . Sense of unity key at national hui: Ngāi Tahu . 22 January 2024 . . 22 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240121194002/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/sense-unity-key-national-hui-ng%C4%81i-tahu . 21 January 2024.
  38. Web site: Tekau-mā-rua waiting to be finalised. Māori Television. en. 9 February 2019. 9 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190209180558/https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/latest-news/tekau-ma-rua-waiting-be-finalised. live.
  39. News: Order of St John . 27 November 2009 . The Gazette . 59254 . 16 August 2020 . 6 October 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191006164159/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/L-59254-984394 . live .
  40. Web site: Kiingi Tuheitia coronation commemorations. 21 August 2016. gg.govt.nz. Office of the Governor-General of New Zealand. 17 October 2017. 17 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171017044004/https://gg.govt.nz/image-galleries/kiingi-tuheitia-coronation-commemorations. live.
  41. Web site: Royal orders presented at Palace . Matangi Tonga . 1 August 2008 . 2 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210121030307/https://matangitonga.to/2008/08/01/royal-orders-presented-palace . 21 January 2021.
  42. News: Kiingi Tuheitia invested as Knight Commander . Scoop . 9 March 2010 . 16 August 2014 . 6 October 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191006164203/http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/kiingi-tuheitia-invested-as-knight-commander/ . live .
  43. News: Hamilton honours the Māori King. 16 August 2016. Newshub. 4 February 2019. en. 6 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191006164158/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2016/08/hamilton-honours-the-maori-king.html. live.
  44. Web site: King Tuheitia receives an honorary doctorate. 8 September 2016. www.waikato.ac.nz. en-NZ. 4 February 2019. 4 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190204175959/https://www.waikato.ac.nz/news-opinion/media/2016/king-tuheitia-to-receive-an-honorary-doctorate. live.

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