Photo: Supplied / Waikato Tainui
Today was not only a time of mourning but also a moment of solidarity as over 200 members of the Pacific community gathered to pay their respects to the late Kiingi Tuheitia.
Among those in attendance were representatives from the Labour Party and former Prime Minister of Aotearoa, Helen Clark.
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Rāhui Papa, a spokesperson for Kiingi Tuheitia, highlighted the significance of Pacific representation at the event.
"Throughout the life of the Kīngitanga, he embraced his cousins of the Pacific. He talked about a lot of our Pacifika cousins living here in Aotearoa and how we need to look after that close relationship," Papa said.
"And it was wonderful last week to see the outpouring of aroha from the Pacific that came to the Koroneihana."
Crowds arriving at Tuurangawaewae Marae on 4 September 2024 to pay their respects to Kiingi Tuheitia. Photo: RNZ / Lillian Hanley
For the Pacific Leadership Forum, this gathering was a familiar one, having recently celebrated the 18th coronation of Kiingi Tuheitia at Turangawaewae.
The forum's coordinator Teleiai Edwin Puni noted the presence of eleven Pacific countries, including Samoa, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
"We bring the condolences of our other representative countries who are unable to make it today," Puni said.
"We support the call of the Kiingi for unity, but we also embrace diversity."
Labour leader Christopher Hipkins also spoke about Kiingi Tuheitia's dedication to Kotahitanga, emphasising the importance of bringing people together, including Pacific and other migrant New Zealanders.
"Bringing people together included unity of Pacific and other migrant New Zealanders to make sure there was a place for them as well," Hipkins said.
Helen Clark is welcomed to Tuurangawaewae for the funeral of Kiingi Tuheitia. Photo: RNZ / MARIKA KHABAZI
Clark commended the turnout and the respect shown by attendees.
"He stepped into the role unexpectedly and then dedicated himself to that," she said.
"People have a respect for that, it's wonderful to see it come from the Pacific."
Samoa's Head of State, Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II said they were "deeply saddened" by Kiingi Tueitia's passing.
"King Tuheitia's eighteen year reign represented strength and unity for Māori in a rapidly changing world," he said in a statement.
"He was dedicated to peace and envisioned a future where people were treated with dignity and respect. His passing is a great loss to New Zealand and our Pacific region."
For young people like Alicia Murgatroyd, a youth representative from the Vanuatu community, the event was a powerful symbol of unity.
"Having Pacifika, Māori, Pākehā all united in one space is a really special thing to have, and it's evident here today," Murgatroyd said.
Behind the scenes, a host of volunteers, including cooks and Māori wardens, worked tirelessly to ensure the day ran smoothly.
"We're working in conjunction with the Māori wardens and police," Kuini Ngataki, who was assisting with crowd control said.
"We got here at 5am, every morning is different, and today is also different."
As Kiingi Tuheitia's tangi concludes on Thursday, the community waits with bated breath for the announcement of who will succeed him, carrying forward his legacy of unity and inclusivity.
The body of Kiingi Tuheitia will be taken from Tuurangawaewae Marae to the banks of the tunpuna awa, Waikato River, after the funeral service on Thursday. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
