In photos: Māori King Kiingi Tuheitia's 18-year reign

10:21 am today

New Maori King Tuheitia Paki, 51 sits on the carved wooden throne during his coronation ceremony at Turangawaewae in Ngaruawahia, south of Auckland, 21 August 2006. New Zealand's indigenous Maori announced a new monarch 21 August during the funeral of Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, who died last week after a 40-year reign. AFP PHOTO/Peter Drury/POOL (Photo by PETER DRURY / POOL / AFP)

Kiingi Tuheitia on a carved wooden throne during his coronation ceremony at Turangawaewae in Ngaruawahia on 21 August 2006. Photo: PETER DRURY/Pool/AFP

The Māori King, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero, has died at the age of 69.

He was the seventh of the line of Pootatau Te Wherowhero to head the Kiingitanga, having succeeded his mother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, following her death in 2006.

Here is a look at some of the key moments:

New Maori King Tuheitia Paki (L) sits on the carved wooden throne alongside the feather-cloak draped coffin of his mother Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu during the funeral service at Turangawaewae in Ngaruawahia, south of Auckland, 21 August 2006. New Zealand's indigenous Maori announced a new monarch 21 August during the funeral of Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, who died last week after a 40-year reign. AFP PHOTO/Peter Drury/POOL (Photo by PETER DRURY / POOL / AFP)

Kiingi Tuheitia beside the coffin of his mother Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu during her funeral service at Turangawaewae in Ngaruawahia on 21 August 2006. Photo: PETER DRURY/Pool/AFP

Kīngi Tūheitia on the first day of Rātana 2024

Kiingi Tuheitia on the first day of Rātana 2024. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Britain's Prince Charles (2/R) and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (R), exchange gifts with the Maori king, King Tuheitia (L) during a visit to Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia on November 8, 2015. Prince Charles and his wife Camilla are on a two-week tour of New Zealand and Australia. AFP PHOTO / POOL / HAGEN HOPKINS (Photo by Hagen Hopkins / POOL / AFP)

King Charles (then Prince Charles) and Camilla exchange gifts with Kiingi Tuheitia during a visit to Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia on 8 November 2015. Photo: Hagen Hopkins / POOL / AFP

The Kiingitanga flag at Ihumātao has come down and Kiingitanga representatives say a positive resolution is expected ahead of Waitangi Day.

Kiingi Tuheitia at Ihumātao. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

270114. Photo Diego Opatowski / Radio NZ. The Maori King, Tuheitia arriving at Ratana Pa.

Kiingi Tuheitia arriving at Rātana Pa in 2014. Photo: RNZ

Kiingi Tuheitia at the powhiri for Te Matatini at Waitangi Park. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

A large Pacific delegation with leaders from an array of Pacific countries were welcomed by Kingi Tuheitia to Turangawaeware Marae during his koroneihana celebrations.

King Tupou VI of Tonga sits alongside Kiingi Tuheitia at Turangawaewae Marae during koroneihana celebrations on 20 August 2024. Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel

Kiingi Tūheitia and wife share laugh at Ratana

Kiingi Tuheitia and wife share laugh at Rātana. Photo: RNZ / Patrice Allen

Pope Frances and Kingii Tuheitia at the Vatican in 2019. Photo: Vatican News/Facebook

Māori King, Te Arikinui Tūheitia Paki signs He Whakaputanga Moana in Rarotonga.

Kiingi Tuheitia signs He Whakaputanga Moana in Rarotonga. Photo: Supplied / Cook Islands News / Melina Etches

The New Zealand All Blacks pose for a photo with Maori King Tuheitia and his wife Te Atawhai as the All Blacks are welcomed onto the Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia, in their preparation for their next 2011 Rugby World Cup match, on September 11, 2011. AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

The All Blacks pose for a photo with Kiingi Tuheitia and his wife Te Atawhai at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Photo: William West/AFP