Tākiri te manawa o Rangawhenua,
Ngāti Ranginui is deeply saddened by the passing of Kiingi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII. Our historical connection with Waikato and Tainui iwi extends back to a time long before the Kiingitanga was established, forged through our shared alignment and resistance during the land wars.
During these challenging times, the people of Tauranga Moana took great strides to pay their respects to the Kiingitanga and Kiingi Tuheitia. Buses were organised for whānau to travel to Ngaruawāhia on both Monday and Thursday, ensuring that we could be present to honour the memory of our King and the enduring relationship between our iwi. The presence of Ngāti Ranginui at Tūrangawaewae Marae was a reminder of the deep connections between our people and the Kiingitanga.
Kiingi Tuheitia will be fondly remembered for many things, including his unwavering determination, his drive for Kotahitanga (unity), and his passion for creating better futures for Māori. His leadership and vision will continue to inspire generations to come. We extend our deepest condolences to Makau Ariki, their tamariki, mokopuna, and Te Kāhui Ariki.
As part of the commemorations, the waka Takitimu, which took part in the flotilla, stands as a powerful symbol of our enduring relationship. Built in the late 1980s and launched in 1990 to commemorate 150 years since the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the construction of the waka was led by master carver Tuti Tukaokao. Once completed, it was taken to Waitangi to join other waka from Te Taitokerau and across the motu.
For Ngāti Ranginui, Takitimu represents resilience, resistance, and the resurgence of our mana within Tauranga Moana. The relationship between the Kiingitanga and Ngāti Ranginui finds its roots in this legacy, symbolizing the strength of our shared histories. We descend from the eponymous ancestor Ranginui, whose whakapapa traces directly to Tamatea Arikinui, the leader who guided the waka from Rarotonga to Aotearoa during the great migration. From Tamatea and Toto came Rongokako, who wed Muriwhenua, and together they began. Tamateapōkaiwhenua and pōkai moana. He had two wives: from Ihuparapara came Ranginui, and from Iwipupu came Kahungunu. This whakapapa directly connects the monarch of the Kiingitanga to the waka Takitimu.
As we honour the legacy of Kiingi Tuheitia, we also reflect on the strength and unity that the Kiingitanga has fostered within and across iwi. Our relationship with Tainui continues to be one of solidarity, grounded in shared history and cultural resurgence. The journey of the Takitimu waka stands as a tribute to that resilience and a reminder of the bond between our people and the Kiingitanga.
