Royalty of New Zealand

[No1_Saint]

I have noticed that the concept of the Maori King is not clear in its function and authority. I will try and explain how the organization works and how it is treated throughout Maoridom.

The Maori King movement or Kingitanga was established to attempt to unite Maori against encroaching settlers who were land hungry and had the backing of an aggressive central government administration. Potatau Te Wherowhero although not the first choice for the job, finally accepted after much prompting to accept the role. He was chosen as he was the Upoko Ariki of his tribe and had extensive genealogical links to all the major tribes and their lines of aristocracy.

The catalyst for the establishment of the Kingitanga came as a response to the English Monarchy and was supported by the Biblical precedent of Israel establishing a royal line under King David.

The Maori King although respected throughout Maoridom does not hold a comprehensive pan tribal title or authority. Large tribes such as Ngati Porou have their own Upoko Ariki and aristocracy to draw on. This complex relationship is perfectly summed up in the following article from the Maori magazine Te Ao Hou...or the New World.

http://teaohou.natlib.govt.nz/journals/teaohou/image/Mao62TeA/Mao62TeA033.html

The institution of the Upoko Ariki or Paramount Chief in English is a strictly hereditary role as personified in Tumu Te Heu Heu of Tuwharetoa and sits within lines of descent from important and often eponymous ancestors such as Porourangi of Ngati Porou and Apanui Waipapa of Te Whanau-a-Apanui. They are supported by the Rangatira who can be of varying degrees of aristocracy. Often they are acknowledged through hard work and the skills they can bring in managing the affairs of the tribe. This is immortalized in the following Maori proverb:

"Ina te mahi, he rangatira."

Which roughly translates as, by his deeds a chief is known.

Basically, Maori society as accurately described above really composes of dozens of separate "nations" with their own lines of Upoko Ariki and Rangatira. The Maori King is one and although he is held in high esteem by most tribes, (as was his mother and predecessor the late Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu) he does not hold (as his title alludes to) a full pan tribal position or title.

[No1_Saint]

It is well known that Tuheitia was not groomed for the role of the Maori King. His older sister Heeni had been groomed by their mother the late Maori Queen for the role and had regularly accompanied her on official visits.

My uncle attended the Council of chiefs who decided the successor to Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu and advised that it was the will of the people to return to a male leader.

Here is a picture of Heeni (middle) with Princess Pilolevu and Princess Siuilikutapu at the funeral of the King of Tonga in her official capacity as the sister of Kingi Tuheitia. During this visit to Tonga she was feted as a high ranking visitor and was honored not only in the order of wreath laying(she came after the following: The King of Tonga, The Queen Mother, the Crown Prince, Princess Pilolevu, The Crown Prince of Japan, The Duke of Gloucestor (Queen Elizabeth the II's first cousin and representative) but also was given the task of cutting the royal ladies hair. This is an ancient mourning rite paid as a tribute to the deceased. Tongans cannot touch the head of royalty, therefore the honor was bestowed on Heeni.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/...a85d074d_o.jpg

[No1_Saint]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...px-Potatau.jpg

Kingi Potatau Te Wherowhero

May 2, 159 to June 25, 1860

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...TawhiaoNLA.jpg

Kingi Tawhiao

25 June, 1860 to 26 August, 1894

http://www.tiritiowaitangi.govt.nz/i...e/mahutatn.jpg

Kingi Mahuta

August 26, 1894 to November 9, 1912



Kingi Te Rata

November 9, 1912 to 1 October, 1933

http://www.tiritiowaitangi.govt.nz/i...l-5469-031.jpg

Kingi Koroki

1 October, 1933 to 18 May, 1966

http://www.treaty2u.govt.nz/images/s...ims-main-5.jpg
Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu

23 May, 1966 to 15 August, 2006

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/...af6fbd.jpg?v=0
Te Arikinui Tuheitia

15 August, 2006 to present

[marmi]

Today the Maori King was at the university of waikato for a breakfast in celebration of his 54th birthday, before he flies to New York for former Prime Minister Helen Clark's welcome as the new UNDP administrator.

Breakfast: Tuesday April 21 | BREAKFAST
Ends at 2:46.

[wbenson]

Maori King threatens to abdicate after actions criticised - National - NZ Herald News

The Maori King has threatened to abdicate after members of the tribe's parliament, Te Kauhanganui, questioned his use of tribal funds and his choice of company directors, it was reported today.

Abdication report 'lies' - National - NZ Herald News

Kingitanga leaders say reports that King Tuheitia told tribal parliamentarians on Sunday that he would abdicate are "outright lies".

[RJ TAYLER]

Thank goodness for that. The Second report there. Any speculation of abdication does not reflect upon full cohesion for the Maori Nation.

[Kasumi]

Elected Tainui officials are demanding the Maori King, Tuheitia Paki, open his books and reveal details of his spending.
Concern about the king's spending and the tribe's governance has mounted within Tainui over recent weeks and now tribal members want answers.
In an unprecedented move that directly challenges the king's authority, some members of Tainui's parliament, Te Kauhanganui, want the books of the king's office made public to quell suspicions over excessive spending.
The annual budget for King Tuheitia's office is $1.2 million compared to $250,000 when his late mother, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, reigned. The money is provided by the tribe.
Stuff.co.nz

[No1_Saint]

It has become painfully apparent to all that Kingi Tuheitia and his demanding family were not the wisest choice for the role. However, he is what we have to work with. So let us all pray that Kingi Tuheitia and his misbehaving family get a clue before too much damage is done.

If only they had chosen his sister...Heeni.

[Kasumi]

Originally Posted by No1_Saint

It has become painfully apparent to all that Kingi Tuheitia and his demanding family were not the wisest choice for the role... If only they had chosen his sister...Heeni.

Are there any procedures of re-election of the Maori ruler if he misbehaves or something? Can you please tell more about the Princess Heeni Katipa? I haven't found much in the web about her, just this article and your post # 42 (above in this thread).

[No1_Saint]

Originally Posted by Kasumi

Are there any procedures of re-election of the Maori ruler if he misbehaves or something? Can you please tell more about the Princess Heeni Katipa? I haven't found much in the web about her, just this article and your post # 42 (above in this thread).

There is not much known about Heeni. I know that she is good friends with the sister of the King of Tonga, Princess Pilolevu as they attended the same school in Auckland.

Pic courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ra%27s_cut.jpg

In regards to re-electing the position while the incumbent is still alive, there hasn't been a situation like this before. Thankfully most of the behaviour has been kept in house, but with the emergence of the financial concerns bubbling to the surface, I am not sure how long that will last for.

IMHO - there will not be any formal public action taken. However, privately there may be significant figures within the kahui ariki(close relatives of the King) who may have to ask him to improve his public image for the greater good. I will be interested to see if any of this is publically acknowledged at one of the 39 Poukai (formal tribal gatherings) he must attend every year. This is a very public arena where important tribal issues are discussed and debated before the King.

Essentially this is a until death position. Which is unfortunate. There were concerns about him from the beginning. He cannot speak the language, his knowledge of tribal lore is pitifully inadequete. His knowledge and relationships with anyone of significance in any other tribe is also wanting. His inaugural speech was a shambles and his dress sense is just wrong. he turned up to a military parade at the King of Tonga's coronation in a hawaiian shirt. What were other VIP guests wearing? Tuxedos and military attire. I cringe everytime I see him or his family anywhere.

FYI - that article that you referenced is grossly misinformed and full of incorrect facts.

[Kasumi]

Dear No1_Saint,
Thank you so much for your immediate reply full of useful information.I'm all astonishment to know that the king does not speak the tribal language. The photo is very interesting too. I believe it was taken during the Tongan king's mourning period, wasn't it?
Unfortunately, there is a lack of information about the Princess in the web. It's a pity the article is incorrect. Thanks for commenting on the article too.

[Hereditary Thane]

I understand the current paramount chiefly claimant of the Maori nation is a lady. Though this office is not recognized by all the Maori tribes, The Maori queen is acknowledged by the Samoan and Tongan royal families. I am happy to be corrected if any New Zealand correspondents have more current information.

[James Frankcom]

Originally Posted by Hereditary Thane

I understand the current paramount chiefly claimant of the Maori nation is a lady. Though this office is not recognized by all the Maori tribes, The Maori queen is acknowledged by the Samoan and Tongan royal families. I am happy to be corrected if any New Zealand correspondents have more current information.

The lady you are talking of, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu was Queen of the Maori Nation from 1966 until her death in 2006 when she was succeeded by her eldest son Tuheitia Paki as the new King.

The position of Māori monarch was constituted in 1858 by the chiefs of many tribes and has been vested in the hereditary chiefs of the Tainui Iwi who pledged through the first Māori king, Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, to guard the position.

[Kasumi]

Maori King Tuheitia accused of swearing at his own people at a public meeting.- Stuff.co.nz

[Kasumi]

Tainui, the Maori King and the Kingitanga have been in the headlines for much of the last two weeks, particularly after Tania Martin, the chairwoman of the tribal parliament presented a report critical of its executive board's spending and was sacked by King Tuheitia.- The Tainui Saga

Waikato tribe Tainui is being taken to court over the sacking of an elected official by the Maori King after a critical report she wrote about the tribe's finances. - TVNZ

Tension grows in Tainui parliament - NZHerald

[Kasumi]

Tione Haunui, the uncle of King Tuheitia, was 71.
Mr Haunui was the great great grandson of King Taawhiao, the second Maori King.
He served three generations of the Maori monarchy, incluindg King Tuheitia, his mother Dame Te Atairangikaahu and her father King Korokii.
A descendant of Waikato-Ngaati Maniapoto iwi and a senior spokesperon for the King, Mr Haunui will lie in state at Waahi Marae in Huntly. - Radio New Zealand

[Aotearoagal]

I read that Teriu Le Mon - Amber Petty's ex - is a Maori prince. Is that correct, does anyone know?

[Kasumi]

Le-Mon descends from Maori royalty, but he is not a Prince.

[Aotearoagal]

Originally Posted by Kasumi

Le-Mon descends from Maori royalty, but he is not a Prince.

Thanks for the quick reply Kasumi! Much appreciated!

[No1_Saint]

Originally Posted by Avalon

Since I am not remotely an expert (or even amateur) on the New Zealand Royalty, I asked Warred and Mandy to help to answer your question. Here is Warren's response:



Hope it answers your question why the New Zealand Royalty is in Non-Reigning Houses thread.

I know that this is an old issue, but i would just like to point out some facts. Within a western context it is not a reigning house...however:

1. The Maori King reigns over the Tainui confederation of tribes
2. The Tainui confederation has it's own Parliament and constitution
3. The Tainui confederation has over 500 million dollars in assets making it a significant emerging economic force
4. There are 39 Marae or tribal settlements that are loyal to the King and he proceeds on what would be best described as a royal progress where tribal issues and grievances are discussed and dealt with.

The Kingitanga has been in existence for over 150 years within a western framework, but was drawn from a preexisting royal lineage. He may have no power officially within the New Zealand government system...however within the Maori world he has immense power and is the current head of a reigning house.

Within New Zealand there is no official position for the Maori King....however there is a parallel society within New Zealand that is Maori which has it's own social structure and hierarchy that has been in existence for hundreds of years.