Kuini Nga wai hono i te po welcomed, Kiingi Tuheitia farewelled: In pictures

4:56 pm on 5 September 2024

Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has been laid to rest, after his death last week.

Te Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII's daughter, has been crowned the eighth Māori monarch. Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, 27, is the second woman to hold the position. The first was her grandmother, Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu, who died in 2006.

Thousands descended on Turangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia, Waikato, to pay their respects to Kiingi Tuheitia, 69, who spent 18 years on the throne.

A special waka carried the king along Waikato River before his burial at Taupiri Maunga.

"The funeral represents the last moment where Kiingi Tuheitia the person becomes Kiingi Tuheitia the ancestor," Kiingitanga chief of staff Ngira Simmonds said.

Kiingi Tuheitia's body being transported up the Waikato river

Kiingi Tuheitia's body is transported by waka up the Waikato river towards Taupiri, his final resting place. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi

Kiingi Tuheitia is laid to rest at Taupiri maunga

Kiingi Tuheitia is laid to rest at Taupiri maunga Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

Kiingi Tuheitia's final resting place

Kiingi Tuheitia's final resting place Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

Taupiri Maunga. Photo:

Kiingi Tuheitia is laid to rest at Taupiri maunga

Kiingi Tuheitia is laid to rest at Taupiri maunga Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

Kiingi Tuheitia is laid to rest at Taupiri maunga

Kiingi Tuheitia is laid to rest at Taupiri maunga Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

Kiingi Tuheitia is laid to rest at Taupiri maunga

Kiingi Tuheitia is laid to rest at Taupiri maunga Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

Kiingi Tuheitia is laid to rest at Taupiri maunga

Kiingi Tuheitia is laid to rest at Taupiri maunga Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

Kiingi Tuheitia is laid to rest at Taupiri maunga

Kiingi Tuheitia is laid to rest at Taupiri maunga Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

Kiingi Tuheitia tangi

NZDF personnel at Taupiri during Kiingi Tuheitia's burial Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

Kiingi Tuheitia tangi

NZDF personnel at Taupiri during Kiingi Tuheitia's burial Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

Kiingi Tuheitia supporters await the arrival of his body at Taupiri maunga

Clergy await the arrival of Kiingi Tuheitia at Taupiri maunga. Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

King Tuheitia is being taken to the waka which will carry him on the Waikato River towards his his final resting place at Taupiri Maunga.

Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII's body is being taken to the waka which will carry him on the Waikato River towards his his final resting place at Taupiri Maunga. Photo: Screenshot

Waka transporting Kiingi Tuheitia's body to Taupiri Maunga.

Waka transporting Kiingi Tuheitia's body to Taupiri Maunga. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Crowds outside Turangawaewae Marae wait for Kiingi Tuheitia's body to be transported up the Waikato river to his final resting place at Taupiri maunga

Crowds outside Turangawaewae Marae wait for Kiingi Tuheitia's body to be transported up the Waikato river to his final resting place at Taupiri maunga Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi

Onlookers wait for Kiingi Tuheitia's body to arrive at Taupiri maunga

Onlookers wait for Kiingi Tuheitia's body to arrive at Taupiri maunga Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

Onlookers wait for Kiingi Tuheitia's body to arrive at Taupiri maunga

Onlookers wait for Kiingi Tuheitia's body to arrive at Taupiri maunga Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

Kiingi Tuheitia tangi

A man at Taupiri holds a photograph of someone dear as he watches Kiingi Tuheitia's body move up Taupiri maunga Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

Waka transporting Kiingi Tuheitia's body to Taupiri Maunga.

Waka transporting Kiingi Tuheitia's body to Taupiri Maunga. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Kiingi Tuheitia's body being transported up the Waikato river

Kiingi Tuheitia's body is transported by waka up the Waikato river towards Taupiri, his final resting place. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi

Crowds outside Turangawaewae Marae wait for Kiingi Tuheitia's body to be transported up the Waikato river to his final resting place at Taupiri maunga

Crowds outside Turangawaewae Marae wait for Kiingi Tuheitia's body to be transported up the Waikato river to his final resting place at Taupiri maunga Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi

The tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, 5 September, 2024.

Waka paddlers wait to take Kiingi Tuheitia to Taupiri via the awa. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Waka and other boats pulled up alongside the Waikato River, before the procession taking Kiingi Tuheitia to his final resting place on Taupiri.

Waka and other boats pulled up alongside the Waikato River, before the procession taking Kiingi Tuheitia to his final resting place on Taupiri. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

A waka paddler waits to take part in the procession of Kiingi Tuheitia to be buried on Taupiri.

A waka paddler waits to take part in the procession of Kiingi Tuheitia to be buried on Taupiri. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Rangatahi react during the announcement of Kuini Nga wai hono i te po on 5 September 2024.

Rangatahi react during the announcement of Kuini Nga wai hono i te po. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Tamariki watching the livestream while Nga wai hono i te po was crowned Kuini on 5 September 2024.

Tamariki watching the livestream while Nga wai hono i te po was crowned Kuini Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Manuhiri at Tuurangawaewae Marae during the announcement of Kuini Nga wai hono i te po on 5 September 2024.

Manuhiri at Tuurangawaewae Marae during the announcement of Kuini Nga wai hono i te po Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Justin Tipa, kaiwhakahaere [chairman] of Te Rūnanga Ngāi Tahu at Tuurangawaewae Marae on 5 September 2024.

Justin Tipa, kaiwhakahaere [chairman] of Te Rūnanga Ngāi Tahu at Tuurangawaewae Marae. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

People watch as the new Māori queen Te Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki is announced.

People watch as the new Māori queen Te Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki is announced. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

The Morning Report team at the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and the naming of the new Māori monarch, 5 September 2024.

The Morning Report team at the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and the naming of the new Māori monarch, 5 September 2024. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Thousands came for the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and the naming of the new Māori monarch.

Thousands came for the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and the naming of the new Māori monarch. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Thousands gathered to farewell Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII at Tuurangawaewae and the naming of the new Māori monarch.

Thousands gathered to farewell Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII at Tuurangawaewae and the naming of the new Māori monarch. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Road closures and traffic management were in place around the marae during the tangihanga at Tuurangawaewae.

Road closures and traffic management were in place around the marae during the tangihanga at Tuurangawaewae. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

People gathered at the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and the naming of the new Māori monarch, 5 September 2024.

People gathered at the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and the naming of the new Māori monarch, 5 September 2024. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

People await the announcement of who will be the new Māori monarch, 5 September 2024.

People await the announcement of who will be the new Māori monarch, 5 September 2024. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Te Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki.

Te Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki, the new Māori queen. Photo: RNZ

Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII's body is transferred to a hearse.

Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII's body is transferred to a hearse. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

People gathered on the main bridge into Ngāruawāhia on the Thermal Explorer Highway, 5 September 2024.

People gathered on the main bridge into Ngāruawāhia on the Thermal Explorer Highway, 5 September 2024. Photo: Pokere Paewai / RNZ

The first train to Taupiri Maunga from the Māori king's tangi. Manaakitanga shown by the Te Huia staff handing out kai packs and water.

The first train to Taupiri Maunga from the Māori king's tangi. Manaakitanga shown by the Te Huia staff handing out kai packs and water. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

The train carrying people from the tangi of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII to his burial site.

The train carrying people from the tangi of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII to his burial site. Photo: Emma Andrews

Supporters on motorbikes await Kiingi Tuheitia's body arrival at Taupiri maunga

Supporters on motorbikes await Kiingi Tuheitia's body arrival at Taupiri maunga Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

Onlookers wait for Kiingi Tuheitia's body to arrive at Taupiri maunga

Onlookers wait for Kiingi Tuheitia's body to arrive at Taupiri maunga Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

Thousands came for the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and the naming of the new Māori monarch.

Thousands came for the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and the naming of the new Māori monarch. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Thousands came for the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and the naming of the new Māori monarch.

Many kura around the motu sent delegations to the tangihanga. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Thousands came for the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII.

Thousands came for the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

People gathering Thursday morning are greeted by the hundreds of smiling volunteers like Tui at the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII.

People gathering Thursday morning are greeted by the hundreds of smiling volunteers like Tui at the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII's body is transferred to a hearse.

Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII's body is transferred to a hearse. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Thousands came for the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and the naming of the new Māori monarch.

Thousands came for the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and the naming of the new Māori monarch. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Hundreds of people were already making their way to Tuurangawaewae as the sun rose on a beautiful misty morning, 5 September 2024.

Hundreds of people were already making their way to Tuurangawaewae as the sun rose on a beautiful misty morning, 5 September 2024. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Hundreds of people were already making their way to Tuurangawaewae as the sun rose on a beautiful misty morning, 5 September 2024.

Hundreds of people were already making their way to Tuurangawaewae as the sun rose on a beautiful misty morning, 5 September 2024. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

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