Summary

  • Thousands of mourners have gathered to attend the funeral of New Zealand's Māori King Tuheitia and the appointment of his successor

  • Kiingi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII died on Friday at the age of 69, following heart surgery

  • Up to 100,000 people are expected to pour into the small New Zealand town of Ngāruawāhia on Thursday to honour him

  • King Tuheitia's youngest child and only daughter, Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, has been named as his successor

  • At just 27 years old, she is the eighth Māori monarch and second queen

Live Reporting

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  2. Watch: Funeral rites of New Zealand's Māori king

    This is a video-only livestream from the funeral of late Māori King Tuheitia.

    Hit the play button above to watch live.

    Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII died on Friday at the age of 69, following heart surgery.

    His youngest child and only daughter, 27-year-old Ngā Wai hono i te pō, was chosen as his successor by a council of New Zealand's indigenous Māori chiefs during an elaborate ceremony in the country's North Island.

    She is the eighth Māori monarch and the second queen - the first being her grandmother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. Her crowning is being followed by the burial of King Tuheitia, for which thousands of mourners have gathered.