The Māori King, Kīngi Tuheitia, visited the cyclone-affected rohe in Hawke’s Bay on Monday as part of his five-day visit to communities in Ngāti Kahungunu rohe. He was welcomed at Ōmahu Marae in Hastings on Monday morning. The visit is aimed at supporting marae and kaupapa Māori recovery responses.
Kīngi Tuheitia’s staff from Waikato-Tainui and Ngāti Tamaoho will accompany him on his visit to Wairoa and Tāngoio Marae on Tuesday. Although the Māori monarch holds no legal or judicial power within the New Zealand government, he is a significant cultural and political figure in the country for many of its 5 million people and wields considerable lobbying power and mana.
According to Kīngitanga chief of staff, Archdeacon Ngira Simmonds, the Māori King is particularly interested in supporting the marae and kaupapa Māori recovery responses. This visit follows the recent cyclone that hit Hawke’s Bay, which has caused significant damage to the region, and is part of the ongoing efforts to provide support to the affected communities.
The Māori King’s visit to the affected rohe in Hawke’s Bay is an opportunity for him to connect with the communities and show his support for their recovery efforts.
