Kingi Tūheitia’s death: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to visit Māori King lying in state as grief ‘still sinking in’

The grief following the sudden passing of Māori King Tūheitia is still “sinking in”, the King’s chief adviser says, as hundreds fill Tūrangawaewae Marae to pay their respects to the monarch lying in state. Kingi Tūheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII died yesterday at age 69 after a stint in hospital recovering from heart surgery. His passing was unexpected – the surgery had been long-planned and only 10 days ago, Tūheitia gave an address at the annual Koroneihana, which celebrated his 18th year as King.

Thousands were expected to descend on Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia to witness Tūheitia lying in state over the coming days and participate in his tangi [funeral]. Members of local iwi Waikato-Tainui had the opportunity to gather at the marae yesterday and today before members of iwi across New Zealand could visit from tomorrow..