Tūrangawaewae Marae has opened its gates to the public and iwi from around the country today, marking the third day of mourning after the death of Kīngi Tuheitia.
The Māori King died in the early hours of Friday morning. He had been in hospital recovering from heart surgery.
The marae is now welcoming iwi, hapu and roopu from across the motu for Tuheitia’s tangihanga, including Ngāti Hine from the north and Rātana from the south.
Thousands of people arrived at the grounds of the Waikato marae today, including Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro.
The Kīngitanga’s chief of staff Ngira Simmonds spoke to the importance of the day.
“Today is the beginning of the arrival of ngā iwi o te motu — all the tribes of Aotearoa.”
1News reporter Yvonne Tanahana joined Ngāti Hine on their journey to the tangihanga. (Source: 1News)
“Today, the intensity goes up a level — the degree to which proceedings are conducted. It takes another turn as the motu comes.
“It’s also particularly poignant for Kīngi Tuheitia, because these are the people to which he felt the greatest level of gratitude and obligation,” he told Q+A.
Two pōwhiri are being held each day at 8am and 2pm.
Road closures are in place around the marae with buses providing transport between attendee parking and the marae.
‘Melting pot of beautifulness’ – Kiingitanga
Kiingitanga toki (representative spokesperson) Rahui Papa said this morning that as more people from Māoridom and beyond came to Tūrangawaewae today it showed the impact the King had had.
“This is kotahitanga (unity) at its purest form. When the tears are flowing, you can’t help but feel a sense of pride in the mahi (work) that the King has done to bring everyone together.”
Noting Rātana arriving with its famous marching band, Papa said every group brought their own tikanga, and all tikanga was welcome.
“Especially because we know that they’re coming with aroha in their hearts.
“It’s a melting pot of beautifulness.”
Of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s emotion at his speech at Tūrangawaewae yesterday, Kiingitanga spokesperson Rukumoana Schaafhausen said it was considered a “genuine and heartfelt” response to the relationship he had with the late King.
“Yes, he’s only been in the role a short time but that is the impact that Kiingi Tuheitia had on the Prime Minister.
“I have to say that former prime ministers would receive the same aroha.”
Papa said he believed Luxon came to genuinely share in grief and said the Kiingitanga had put aside politics for now.
“We could really feel the ngākau (heart and soul) of the Prime Minister yesterday. Don’t get me wrong, the story’s not going to end there, but for this time, the mourning of our King is the focus.”
