KING TUHEITIA PAKI, THE MAORI KING COMMEMORATES HIS GRANDFATHER, KING KOROKI’S CORONATION, WITH A RIVER WAAKA JOURNEY

King Tuheitia the Maori King, commemorated the anniversary of his grandfather’s coronation and put the spotlight back on Maori water rights with a  journey down Waikato River this morning.

King Tuheitia travelled in a waka taua from Ngaruawahia to Waahi marae at Huntly. The fifth Maori king, King Koroki, was crowned on October 8, 1933.

[Photo: a 1953 shing ding at Turangawaewae Marae with King Koroki and guests - Te Ara photo archives].

The annual Waahi marae poukai is traditionally held on this date and  King Tuheitia opened the event with the river journey – an act that also aimed to show the tribe’s cultural and spiritual connection to the Waikato River in the wake of controversy surrounding the rights and  interests of Maori to freshwater and the Government’s proposal to sell state-owned assets.

Tribal leaders from throughout Tainui, as well as Maori leaders playing a  key role in progressing freshwater rights at the national level  accompanied King Tuheitia.

Today’s discussion at Waahi marae is  expected to include the freshwater rights issue, following the recent  national hui held at Turangawaewae marae.

News source: Fairfax News. Photos – Peter Drury and Te Ara.

Mauri ‘Ola.

~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 8.10.12~