WAKA HUIA 28/10/2007

Rights Information
Year
2007
Reference
F102823
Media type
Moving image
Item unavailable online
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Rights Information
Year
2007
Reference
F102823
Media type
Moving image
Item unavailable online
Series
WAKA HUIA
Place of production
New Zealand/Aotearoa
Categories
Television
Duration
1:00:00
Production company
TELEVISION NEW ZEALAND
Taonga Māori Collection
Yes
Credits
Producer: Miki Apiti (Ngāti Hikairo (Tainui))
Production Manager: Tracey Cribb

He pakipūmeka i korerotia ki ngā kaupapa Māori.

Ko te koroneihana tuatahi mā Kingi Tuheitia i tū mai i Tūrangawaewa Marae, Ngāruawāhia. Ko te rā tuatahi me te kawe mate o ngā iwi o Tainui ki runga o Tūrangawaewae Marae. He pouhere tangata, he pouhere waka.

Tuheitia Paki, now known as Kīngi Tuheiti, is the eldest son of Te Atairangikaahu and Whatumoana Paki's seven children. Tuheitia was also raised on Waahi Pa Marae, he attended Southwell School in Hamilton and then went on to St Stephen's boarding school.

Since leaving school Tuheitia has worked as a truck driver, but more recently he was campus manager at the Huntly Campus of Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

On the 21 of August 2006 Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu passed away at the age of 75 she was succeeded by her son, Tuheita the new monarch of the King movement.

Te Atairangikaahu was born Piki Mahuta on 23rd of July 1931, the eldest daughter of King Koroki and Te Atairangikaahu.

Te Atairangikaahu was born and raised on Waahi Pa Marae where she was encouraged by her parents to holdfast to the traditional knowledge of Tainui. Te Arikinui was also given the best pakeha education when she was sent to Waikato Diocesan boarding school in Hamilton.

King Kororki died on Wednesday 18 May 1966 at Turongo House. Within hours the people of Waikato Maniapoto had converged onto the Marae and made ready to prepare to receive the multitude who would arrive to pay homage to a gentle, beloved King who had reigned for 33 years and also his successor.

The office of the head of the Kingitanga had become hereditary but in the setting up of the King Movement no consideration had been given to a female heir.

The late King had two daughters but no son. In former times the people would have selected from among the nearest kin of the King. In 1966 there was small core of traditionalists who felt strongly that the heir should be male. At the outset the choice centred upon Te Ariki Tapairu, Piki. Who during her fathers prolonged illness represented him with dignity and aplomb at many important public functions and tribal gatherings.

A decision was to be made during the Tangihanga. The kaumatua of Tainui held several discussions as to their role and they agreed that the decision to choose the King's successor would be left to the visiting tribes.

The chiefly representatives of Te Motu assembled in Mahinarangi on Friday 20 May reached their decision. Princess Piki was advised that in accordance with tradition she was to be raised up at the Whakawahi ceremony on the funeral day of her father and that the title of Queen would be bestowed upon her.

Te Ariki Tapairu marked her accession by taking the name of her late mother Te Ata I rangai Kaahu who have passed away 13 months previously.

For more than forty years Te Arikinui held the mantle of the head of Kingitanga. With quiet dignity, compassion and vision she worked tirelessly for the greater wellbeing for Maori and their whanau. Te Reo Maori, Education, Culture, Arts, crafts and sport were among her wide range of interests. Te Arikinui worked unceasingly to create and encourage greater understanding and appreciation of Maori and our unique culture to mainstream New Zealand and the international community.

Te Arikinui knew the importance of unity and the need for bringing people together and we are the better for it. Her kaupapa of reaching out to embrace leaders and others extended beyond Aotearoa. Te Arikinui was an outstanding Ambassador- here at Turangawaewae she welcomed Royalty, Heads of State and governments and an endless lineup of dignitaries.

Her work with the Maori Women's welfare league and the National Te Kohanga Reo trust was significant and she got immense satisfaction from being involved in two of Maoridom's most successful initiatives.

At home she led Waikato to the first major treaty settlement with the Government and gave her support for the present Waikato River claim.

Her contribution to the development of Tainui, Maoridom and New Zealand was extraordinary.

Her Tangihanga was a remarkable occasion with more than a hundred thousand people travelling to Turangawaewae to bid their final farewell. The Tangihanga left hundreds of thousands of people who watched by Televison spellbound.

Te Arikinui's legacy of vision, humility, strength and a determination to succeed will endure for future generations. tvnz.co.nz

Kawariki Morgan (Waikato, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hine) Kaikawekōrero
Pita Sharples (Rongomaiwahine)
Timoti Karetu (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu)
Derek Lardelli (Ngāti Porou)
Wharehuia Milroy (Ngāi Tūhoe)
Huirangi Waikerepuru (Taranaki)
Pou Temara (Ngāi Tūhoe)
Rāhui P (Waikato, Ngāti Koroki Kahurangi)
Tukoroirangi Morgan (Waikato, Tainui)
Mauriora Kingi (Te Arawa)
Chris Winitana (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāi Tūhoe)
Wiremu Paraone Tūrei, Te Atipihopa o Aotearoa.
Helen Clarke, Te Pirimia o Aotearoa
Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi, Te Ariki o Hāmoa
Waihoroi Shortland (Ngāti Hine, Te Aupouri, Ngāpuhi)
Timi Te Po (Te Arawa)

Ngā tangata i kitea
Herewini Parata (Ngāti Porou)
Toby Curtis (Te Arawa)