World / New Zealand Maori King Kiingi Tuheitia Dies at 69 Passed away following heart surgery days after leadership milestone By Newser.AI Read our AI policy Posted Aug 30, 2024 8:40 AM CDT Copied New Zealand Maori King, Kiingi Tuheitia, from left, reacts with Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at Turangawaewae Marae, Hamilton, New Zealand, Nov. 8, 2015. (David Rowland/Pool Photo via the AP, File) New Zealand's Maori King, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, passed away on Friday at the age of 69 following heart surgery, according to Rahui Papa, a spokesperson for the Kiingitanga. His death comes just days after marking 18 years on the throne. His leadership and vision have been central to Maori unity since he became the seventh monarch of the Kiingitanga Movement. The Kiingitanga position was established in 1858 to foster unity among New Zealand's Indigenous Maori tribes. This movement sought to halt the sale of land to non-Indigenous people, curb inter-tribal conflicts, and promote the preservation of Maori culture in the wake of British colonization. Over the years, it has played a crucial role in maintaining Maori traditions and culture, despite having a largely ceremonial position in New Zealand, where the Maori are a minority. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) < > Vermont Town Official, Family Found Dead in Home Sep 18, 2024 2:24 PM CDT Donna Kelce to Appear in 2 Hallmark Movies Sep 18, 2024 10:06 AM CDT Trump Repeats False Claims on Chinese Auto Factories Sep 18, 2024 9:10 AM CDT Hidden Figures of Space Race Awarded Congressional Medals 5 hours, 8 minutes ago Norway Reports First Bluetongue Cases Since 2009 7 hours, 30 minutes ago Kentucky Senator Progresses After Lawn Mower Accident 7 hours, 28 minutes ago Father Believed Son Possessed Before Supermarket Killing Spree Sep 18, 2024 3:45 AM CDT 2 Killed, 2 Injured in Idaho Gas Station Blast 15 hours, 32 minutes ago Special Prosecutor Appointed in Karen Read Murder Case 14 hours, 32 minutes ago Japanese Child Fatally Stabbed Near Shenzhen School 10 hours, 35 minutes ago Queen Margrethe II Hospitalized After Fall 9 hours, 46 minutes ago Hackers Demand $6M in Bitcoin From Sea-Tac Sep 18, 2024 10:40 PM CDT GM Offers Adapters for Access to Tesla Superchargers Sep 18, 2024 10:05 PM CDT Ossoff Pushes for Senate Oversight in Postmaster Selection 16 hours, 25 minutes ago Jean Smart to Launch SNL 's 50th Season 15 hours, 2 minutes ago Key Suspect Arrested in Assault on Polio Worker Sep 18, 2024 12:25 PM CDT Connecticut Aquarium Settles Federal Probe Over Whale Deaths Sep 18, 2024 10:17 PM CDT Zoo Plans to Trademark 'Moo Deng the Hippo' 4 hours, 58 minutes ago Report an error