Kiingi Tuheitia. Photo: Supplied / Waikato Tainui
New Zealand's longest-serving councillor has shared his sadness after the death of his long-time friend, Kiingi Tuheitia, who died on Friday morning.
Tributes flowed from across the country and the Commonwealth. Rotorua Lakes councillor Trevor Maxwell (Ngāti Rangiwewehi) described Kiingi Tuheitia to Local Democracy Reporting as a "beautiful, gentle soul".
"I'm just so pleased two weekends ago we went up to celebrate his 18th coronation anniversary in Ngāruawāhia."
About 70 people in the Ngāti Rangiwewehi cultural group were among "many others" who performed, he said.
Waikato kapa haka group Taniwharau celebrated 50 years at the same time.
Maxwell said it was through cultural performance and Kiingi Tuheitia's mother, Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, that their friendship grew.
One particularly stand-out memory was watching Taniwharau at the 1981 Te Matatini, in which Tuheitia stood front row.
Maxwell said there was a longstanding friendly rivalry.
"They cried with joy when they won, we cried because we lost," he joked.
"He was a good cultural performer."
Maxwell said he was aware Tuheitia was "going in for a bit of heart surgery" and, while he prayed and hoped it would be okay, he was now confronted with the sad news.
"My heart goes out to his dear wife Te Atawhai and their children and mokopuna.
"I was quite stunned when I heard the news this morning [Friday]. He really did care about our people and took up the role. A gentle humble soul.
"We are all deeply saddened by his passing."
Maxwell said the strength of their friendship was shown when Tuheitia visited him after the death of his wife, Atareta, in 2007.
He was glad to have caught up with him and his family recently, including at a dinner before the coronation anniversary celebrations.
"We could smile and catch up on the good old days."
Maxwell said Te Arawa was connected to Tainui through Ngāti Pikiao - te ure tārewa - the "link to the Kiingitanga".
Ngāti Pikiao welcomed the newly crowned Tuheitia to Rotorua during his first official visit outside his rohe in 2006.
Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell said the community was "deeply saddened" by the news.
The Rotorua community acknowledged the leadership Tuheitia provided to Māori and the wider country.
"Kiingi Tuheitia was solutions-focused and in recent divisive times encouraged unity.
"His compassion and care towards others will continue to be the legacy he was known and respected for."
- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
