New Zealand's Maori king dies at 69

Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Kiingi Tuheitia, the king of New Zealand's Maori indigenous people, died Friday at the age of 69, according to a spokesman.

Kiingi Tuheitia -- whose full name was Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII -- died Friday morning in the presence of his wife, Makau Ariki, and their children, according to a statement from the Kiingitanga, meaning the Maori King movement.

The Kiingitanga was founded through the unifying of Maori tribes under Pootatau Te Wheowhero in 1858 amid colonial times with the goal of preserving their culture and preventing the sale of their land to others. Though the role of king is now mostly ceremonial, it plays a unifying role for the Maori people.

Kiingi Tuheitia, who served as the movement's seventh monarch, is known for making annual speeches to mark his coronation though he also took part in ceremonial events with international dignitaries, such as King Charles III of Britain, according to the New Zealand government website about the movement.

In 2019, held a private meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, it said.

During his reign, Kiingi Tuheitia participated in campaigns to reduce the incarceration rate of Maori and the reintegration of those released from prison, the website said. He also participated in Maori celebrations the country over.

His death comes about a week after the 18th anniversary of his coronation, which occurred Aug. 21, 2006, following the death of his mother, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, who served as the longest reigning Maori monarch at more than 40 years.

"The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maaoridom and the entire nation," Kiingitanga spokesman Rahui Papa said.

The country's flag will fly at half-staff on all government and public buildings, effective immediately, New Zealand's Ministry for Culture and Heritage said in a statement.

It will also be flown at half-mast on the day of the funeral, which has yet to be determined.

"Today, we mourn the loss of Kiingi Tuheitia. His unwavering commitment to his people and his tireless efforts to uphold the values and traditions of the Kiingitanga have left an indelible mark on our nation," Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand said in a statement.

Jacinda Ardern, who served as New Zealand's Prime Minister from late 2017 to January of last year, described the late king as being an "advocate for Maori, for fairness, justice and prosperity."

"You wanted children, young people and those who have been left behind to have opportunities and hope," she said in a statement on Facebook.

"You worked tirelessly on building understanding and knowledge of our shared history and in doing so, strengthening Aotearoa. And amongst all of that, you made everyone feel welcome -- including me."

King Charles, whose coronation last year was attended by Kiingi Tuheitia, also issued a statement of condolence, stating he and his wife, Queen Camilla, were saddened by the news of his death.

He said he had "the greatest pleasure" of knowing the Maori king for decades, and remembers being hosted by Kiingi Tuheitia in 2015 and their meeting in Buckingham Palace last year.

"His death is a particular shock in view of the fact that I had only very recently spoken to Kiingi on the telephone at the beginning of August," King Charles said.

"My wife and I extend our deepest condolences to Kiingi Tuheitia's whaanau and friends and all those who will mourn his loss. Our special thoughts and prayers will be with you at this most difficult and heartbreaking of times."

A funeral -- known as a tangi -- for Kiingi Tuheitia is expected to held next week when he will be laid to rest beside his mother, Radio New Zealand reported, which added the Maori leaders will next decide on a successor who will be crowned on the final day of the mourning ceremony.