New Zealand / Te Ao Māori

In photos: Day 3 of the tangi for Kiingi Tuheitia at Tuurangawaewae

19:08 pm on 1 September 2024

RNZ reporters were at Tuurangawaewae in Ngaaruawaahia for day 3 of memorial events following the death of Kiingi Tuheitia. Photo: Supplied - Kiingitanga and RNZ

Thousands from throughout the country have joined Waikato Tainui at Tuurangawaewae to mourn and pay respects to the loss of the leader of the Kiingitanga movement.

Sunday was day three of the tangihanga, after the death of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII on Friday.

We've gathered together a collection of photographs of what happened throughout the day.

Kiingitanga said about 3000 people filed onto the marae for the 8am pōwhiri. Photo: RNZ/ Emma Andrews

The Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro and other dignitaries enter the marae Photo: Supplied/ Kiingitanga - Tuteri Rangihaeata

During the last two days, Tainui Waikato have had the chance to mourn their Kiingi, and on Sunday iwi and visitors from throughout the motu arrived to pay tribute. Among them, representatives from Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kauwhata, as well as representatives from the Rātana Church.

While the Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro represented King Charles, reading aloud a message of condolence.

Representatives from around the country listened, and spoke. Photo: Supplied/ Kiingitanga - Tuteri Rangihaeata

Photo: Supplied/ Kiingitanga - Tuteri Rangihaeata

Many of those who joined in the day's events travelled through the night to be there. Photo: Supplied/ Kiingitanga - Tuteri Rangihaeata

Photo: Supplied/ Kiingitanga - Tuteri Rangihaeata

Time for a kaputī: Riingi Matatahi (left) was taught 'how to make sandwiches properly' by her mother Tutahi, who now gets to sit down, have a kaputī, and enjoy the beef, egg, and chutney deliciousness, at day 3 of the tangihanga for Kiingi Tuheitia. Photo: RNZ/ Emma Andrews

Lunchtime yarns: No matter the occasion, everyone working behind the scenes is bound by kotahitanga, at day 3 of the tangihanga for Kiingi Tuheitia. Photo: RNZ/ Emma Andrews

The Kiingi's Toki (his main speaker) Rahui Papa (left) and Kiingitanga spokesperson Rukumoana Schaafhausen talked about welcoming the tikanga of all the different iwi attending. Photo: RNZ/ Pokere Paewai

A player from Te Haahi Rātana Brass Band Photo: RNZ/ Emma Andrews

Te Haahi Rātana Brass Band led their tumuaki and morehu onto the marae this morning: (from left) Margaret Wairuku Radovanovich, Peara Pou and Beverley Webster. Photo: RNZ/ Emma Andrews

Dame Cindy Kiro and other dignitaries look on Photo: Supplied/ Kiingitanga - Tuteri Rangihaeata

Photo: Supplied/ Kiingitanga - Tuteri Rangihaeata

Photo: Supplied/ Kiingitanga - Tuteri Rangihaeata

Photo: Supplied/ Kiingitanga - Tuteri Rangihaeata

Former Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon spoke, and told RNZ the culture of Aotearoa was grounded in the tangata whenua, and today's events showed the importance and value of tikanga. Photo: Supplied/ Kiingitanga - Tuteri Rangihaeata

Photo: Supplied/ Kiingitanga - Tuteri Rangihaeata