8:03 am today

Live: Prime minister expected at Tuurangawaewae Marae to pay respects to Kiingi Tuheitia

8:03 am today
The Māori King, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, died on 29 August 2024.

The Māori King, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, died on Friday. Photo: Supplied / Waikato Tainui

Thousands are expected to pay their respects to Kiingi Tuheitia at Tuurangawaewae Marae on Saturday.

The Māori king died in hospital in the early hours of Friday morning after heart surgery.

His body was then taken to the marae, where it will lie in state for at least five days before being buried on Taupiri mountain.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was among those expected to pay his respects on Saturday.

Tainui would be looking after the kiingitanga over the next few days, with the new monarch likely to be crowned on the final day of Kiingi Tuheitia's tangi.

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