Death of Tūheitia

Tūheitia, the Māori King and leader of the Kīngitanga, died on 30 August 2024 at the age of 69. The King had been recovering in hospital from an unsuccessful cardiac surgery. His death came less than two weeks after hosting his eighteenth koroneihana, the annual celebration of his coronation. As the Māori monarchy is not hereditary by right, leaders of tribes associated with the Kīngitanga gathered to elect Tūheitia's successor during his tangihanga (funeral rites), which lasted five days. Tūheitia was succeeded by his daughter, Nga wai hono i te po, who was raised to the throne on the final day of his tangi.