King Charles has released a statement of condolence after the death of Maori King Tuheitia.
The King was left profoundly saddened and expressed his condolences on behalf of himself and his wife, Queen Camilla.
King Charles said: “My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the death of Kiingi Tuheitia.
“I had the greatest pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades. He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Māori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion.
“I remember with immense fondness meeting Kiingi Tuheitia many times, including when Her Majesty and I were hosted so warmly and graciously at the Tuurangawaewae Marae in 2015, and then again during our meeting at Buckingham Palace last year. His death is a particular shock in view of the fact that I had only very recently spoken to Kiingi on the telephone at the beginning of August.
“My wife and I extend our deepest condolences to Kiingi Tuheitia’s whaanau and friends and all those who will mourn his loss. Our special thoughts and prayers will be with you at this most difficult and heartbreaking of times.”
King Charles and King Tuheitia in 2023. By Ian Jones – Buckingham Palace reception, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The King also wrote: “Kua hinga te tōtara i Te Waonui a Tāne. (A mighty Totora tree has fallen.)”
King Tuheitia attended King Charles’s Coronation in 2023.
King Tuheitia died in the early hours of 30 August while recovering from heart surgery. He was 69.
His Majesty had been the Maori monarch since August 2006.
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