Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII is being laid to rest on Thursday, after his death last week.
Te Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII's daughter, has been crowned the eighth Māori monarch. Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, 27, is the second woman to hold the position. The first was her grandmother, Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu, who died in 2006.
Thousands descended on Turangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia, Waikato, to pay their respects to Kiingi Tuheitia, 69, who spent 18 years on the throne.
A special waka carried the king along Waikato River before his burial at Taupiri Maunga.
"The funeral represents the last moment where Kiingi Tuheitia the person becomes Kiingi Tuheitia the ancestor," Kiingitanga chief of staff Ngira Simmonds said.
RNZ journalists in Ngāruawāhia will be taking photos throughout the day - check back later for more.
Waka transporting Kiingi Tuheitia's body to Taupiri Maunga. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel
Waka transporting Kiingi Tuheitia's body to Taupiri Maunga. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel
People watch as the new Māori queen Te Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki is announced. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
Hundreds of people were already making their way to Tuurangawaewae as the sun rose on a beautiful misty morning, 5 September 2024. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
People gathering Thursday morning are greeted by the hundreds of smiling volunteers like Tui at the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
The Morning Report team at the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and the naming of the new Māori monarch, 5 September 2024. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
Māori Wardens Hohepa (right) and Dave (left) have been at Tuurangawaewae since 4am, ready for the Kiingi's tangi. Photo: RNZ / Layla Bailey-McDowell
Thousands came for the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and the naming of the new Māori monarch. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
Thousands came for the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and the naming of the new Māori monarch. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
Thousands gathered to farewell Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII at Tuurangawaewae and the naming of the new Māori monarch. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
People gathered at the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and the naming of the new Māori monarch, 5 September 2024. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
People await the announcement of who will be the new Māori monarch, 5 September 2024. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
Te Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki, the new Māori queen. Photo: RNZ
Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII's body is transferred to a hearse. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII's body is transferred to a hearse. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
The tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, 5 September, 2024. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
People gathered on the main bridge into Ngāruawāhia on the Thermal Explorer Highway, 5 September 2024. Photo: Pokere Paewai / RNZ
The first train to Taupiri Maunga from the Māori king's tangi. Manaakitanga shown by the Te Huia staff handing out kai packs and water. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
The train carrying people from the tangi of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII to his burial site. Photo: Emma Andrews
Supporters on motorbikes await Kiingi Tuheitia's body arrival at Taupiri maunga Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro
Onlookers wait for Kiingi Tuheitia's body to arrive at Taupiri maunga Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro
