Tangi mooteatea nei te motu i te rironga o too maatou Kiingi Maaori. Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. E kiiia nei te Motu, Kiingi o te Kootahitanga. Moe mai, moe mai, moe maarire mai.

With deep sorrow, we honour the passing of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero Te Tuawhitu. During his 18-year reign, he faced many challenges and guided the Kiingitanga through these times of great change with fortitude and resilience.

Kiingi Tuheitia was a unifying force for the Motu and as we mourn his loss, we celebrate his remarkable legacy, which will inspire generations to come. He was a king who prioritised the wellbeing and unity of te iwi Māori. His international travels, especially to King Charles’ Coronation, to the New Zealand contingent in the Olympic Village, Paris followed by visits to acknowledge our war dead in France drew the eyes of the world.

His recent signing of He Whakaputanga Moana Treaty – Declaration for the Ocean is widely acclaimed in Te Moana Nui A Kiwa. This document recognises whales as legal persons with inherent rights and emphasises our interconnectedness with the whole of creation. He will leave an indelible mark upon our nation and the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Whare Ariki, the royal family, during this time of grief. A cherished grandfather, father, and husband, may he rest in eternal peace, forever remembered.

With great respect, we draw together as a people of faith to pray and offer this humble prayer for his daughter our new Māori Queen, Kuiini Ngaa Wai Hono I Te Poo. Lord, may she be wise, compassionate, and strong. May she always seek to do what is right. We ask your divine guidance and protection so she can lead with grace and justice, bringing peace and prosperity to everyone.

He Inoi Mō Te Arikinui Hoou

Whakatata mai koe e Ihowaa ki too maatou inoi, moo Te Arikinui hoou, Kuiini Ngaa Wai Hono I Te Poo.

Ka noho ia i runga i te toorona tapu o oona maatua tuupuna. Teenei maatou te hunga whakapono i a ia, e inoi kaha ana ki a koe, e Ihowaa kia tukua mai too aroha, too wairua atawhai, hei aawhina i Te Arikinui hoou me te Whare Ariki. Manaakita mai raatou katoa.

Ko koe te Kaipuupuri i te Rongomau, ko koe te Kaimanaaki i te iwi.              Whakarongo mai ki aa maatou inoi, me ngaa tuumanako moo te iwi Maaori.

Rire rire hau, Pai Maarire!

Caption 

Image is a screenshot of the front page of the liturgy used on the burial day of the Māori King Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero Te Tuawhitu.

Image credit

Image supplied courtesy of The Office of the Kiingitanga.