Kīngi Tuheitia: Proceedings confirmed for tomorrow's funeral, Te Whakawahinga
As Kīngi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII is laid to rest tomorrow, his funeral service promises to be a historic, poignant event.
A ceremony to anoint his successor will also be held in the hours before Kīngi Tuheitia is laid to rest.
Here is what to expect from the occasion.
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Te Whakawahinga – the raising up ceremony for the new Māori monarch
The anointment of a Māori monarch is steeped in ritual and ceremony. Known as Te Whakawahinga, or ‘the raising up’, this ceremony will take place ahead of the final funeral service for Kīngi Tuheitia.
The Kiingitanga has revealed the ceremony will start tomorrow at 10am where the Tekau-mā-rua (King’s advisory council) will “usher the new Maaori monarch to the throne”.
Karakia is heavily involved and includes traditional Māori takutaku and Christian prayers. Parts of the ceremony are shielded from those present due to the sacredness of the proceedings.
The Māori monarch does not wear a crown. Instead, the placing of a Bible over their head by Te Tumuaki o Te Kiingitanga [the Kingmaker] is seen as the moment of 'crowning'.
Hone Taamihana holds the role of Te Tumuaki and he will be using the same Bible that his ancestor, Wiremu Taamihana, used to raise up the first Māori King, Pootatau Te Wherowhero, in 1858.
The Anglican Archbishop Don Tamihere will then bless the new monarch with sacred oils.
From marae to maunga – final funeral service and tangi procession
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The final funeral service for Kīngi Tuheitia will take place immediately after Te Whakawahinga.
He will then be taken from the marae to the banks of the Waikato River, guided by a guard of honour made up of haukāinga Ngāti Māhanga and the New Zealand Defence Force.
The King will be placed on the waka Tātahi Ora, and three other waka – Waikura, Tākitumu and Te Tīmatanga - will accompany him in a river procession to Taupiri Maunga.
The journey on the river from the marae to Taupiri is around 10km and is expected to take up to two hours.
Burial
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Once the fleet of waka arrive at Taupiri Maunga, the King will be handed over into the care of members of the Taniwharau and Tūrangawaewae Rugby League Clubs, and rope handlers from the Raungaiti Rugby Club who will carry him to his final resting place at the summit of the mountain.
Return to Tūrangawaewae Marae
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Following the burial, the Tekau-mā-rua will lead the Whare Ariki (Members of the Royal House) back on to Tūrangawaewae Marae. A hākari will then take place to conclude the tangihanga of Kīngi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII.
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TVNZ1, 1News.co.nz and TVNZ+ will have live coverage of proceedings from 9.30am tomorrow.
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Note: The use of double vowels in this article reflects the dialect used by the Kiingitanga/Kīngitanga which uses double vowels (aa, ee, ii, oo, uu) in place of macronised vowels (ā, ē, ī, ō, ū).
Glossary
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Te Whakawahinga – ceremony to “raise up” the new Māori monarch
takutaku – reciting of traditional Māori karakia, incantations
Tekau-mā-rua – King’s advisory council
Te Tumuaki o Te Kiingitanga – known as the Kingmaker role, the person who holds the hereditary title is tasked with placing the Bible over the head of the new monarch during Te Whakawahinga
maunga – mountain
haukāinga – local people
waka – canoe
Whare Ariki – Royal House
hākari – feast
tangihanga – funeral
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www.1news.co.nz...
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Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.5% Yes
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14.8% No
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2.8% Other - I'll share below
The Story of Tahu and the Sacred Visitor - Day 10
In a small kāinga (village) nestled by the ngahere (forest), lived an elderly woman named Tahu. She was a simple kuia (elder), devoted to the atua and known for her aroha (love and compassion). Though she lived humbly, Tahu’s heart was rich with kindness and her hands were always busy caring for others in her community.
One night, Tahu had a vision during her karakia (prayers). The atua spoke to her, saying that a great rangatira (chief) on a sacred journey would one day visit her home. This visitor would be a symbol of mana (prestige) and the spirit of aroha. Tahu woke with a sense of purpose and spent her days preparing for this rangatira’s arrival.
She tidied her whare (home) and tended to her māra (garden), ensuring everything was in perfect condition. Each day, she gathered the freshest kumara and sweetest berries from the ngahere, tasting them carefully to ensure they were fit for her guest. Although her people sometimes laughed at her efforts, saying, “Tahu, why prepare so much for someone who might never come?” she remained steadfast in her devotion.
One day, the great rangatira, Tāwhirimātea, arrived at her humble whare with his companion. Tahu’s heart swelled with joy as she welcomed them, offering water and the food she had so carefully prepared.
However, one of Tāwhirimātea’s companions noticed Tahu tasting the berries before offering them. He frowned and whispered, “It is disrespectful to offer food that has already been tasted.”
But Tāwhirimātea smiled and replied, “You judge her actions, but I understand her intentions. Tahu is not tasting out of disrespect—she is ensuring that only the sweetest and best berries are served. It is her aroha that makes this kai truly sacred.” He ate the berries with gratitude, blessing Tahu for her kindness.
The atua smiled upon Tahu, and the mana of her aroha inspired her whānau to live with the same compassion and care for others.
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Moral of the Story
This story teaches that acts of aroha (love and compassion), no matter how humble, hold the greatest mana. True kindness is not measured by wealth or grandeur but by the heart and intention behind our actions. Like Tahu, we are reminded to serve others with sincerity and respect, knowing that aroha strengthens the bonds of whānau and community.
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