Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has been remembered for his messages of unity despite differences. Photo: Supplied / Waikato Tainui
Thousands of mourners are expected in Ngaaruawaahia on Thursday to attend the funeral of the Māori King Tuheitia, and the appointment of his successor.
Head of the Kiingitanga movement, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII died on Friday, aged 69, after heart surgery.
Since then, Tainui have been hosting mourners and dignitaries from throughout the motu and further afield, who have come to pay their respects, at the tangihanga at Tuurangawaewae Marae.
The formal ceremony to announce the king's successor will start at 10am when the Tekau-maa-rua (the Kiingitanga advisory council) will usher the new Māori monarch to the throne.
The ceremony will be followed by the funeral service for Kiingi Tuheitia.
Events on Thursday were expected to create major traffic disruptions, including for motorists on State Highway 1, and authorities have warned those not attending the events at Tuurangawaewae to take a different route.
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