Kotahitanga in action

Aotearoa New Zealand has this last week witnessed something that is unlikely to happen for another 50 or 60 years, the tangihanga (funeral) for Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII (the Māori King).

In amongst the normal emotions of an unexptected and sad event, Kiingi Tuheitia was only 69, there is opportunity for joy, learning and a chance to enhance our cultural knowledge, there is also a bright future for the Māori monarchy, an institution that dates back to 1858.

We watched as a new dawn arose with Kuiini Nga wai hono i te po taking the throne left by her father. The youngest and only daughter of Kiingi Tuheitia thrust into the limelight at aged 27, a lifetime of service ahead.

Waiata and haka rang out from Turangwaewae Marae in the heart of the Waikato, the small town of Ngāruāwahia, population of around 8000, swelled, with 130'000 estimated to flow through to pay their respects over thge week long period of the tangihanga.

We heard of kotahitanga (unity) something the kiingitanga aspired to bring to his reign both within Māoridom and throughout New Zealand.

To see this event and all its Tikanga (behavioural practices) is a once or maybe twice in a lifetime opportunity. For seven days this outpouring of grief, emotion and protocol has filled our screens and even the anticipation that was felt around who would be the next monarch, its a role voted on by the kiingitanga advisory council, the position is not an inhereted one.

We heard about what it takes behind the scenes to ensure that manuhuri (visitors) are taken care of by the iwi (tribe) coordinating and running the tangihanga, from traffic management to crowd control, from feeding the masses to clearing away the rubbish, the manaakitanga (hospitality & generosity) of the hosts was evident.

From the formalities of the marae to the transportation of the kiingitanga to the mighty Waikato River. He was taken by waka (canoe) to the foot of Taupiri Maunga (mountain) where he ascended to the top, carried by a group of young men to his final resting place, an unmarked grave next to previous Māori monarchs, including his mother, who was buried there in 2006. Along the entire distance of some 9kms, the roadside, riverbanks and mountain pathways were abuzz with mourners.

For my international colleagues I recommend you you take some time to view some of the footage, it will enhance your CQ around indigenous culture in New Zealand, if your a kiwi and didnt get to see this event, do the same. Listen to the commentators describe the tikanga, what it all means and why, watch the images, be curious.