NEW ZEALAND: Coronation seventh Maori king
Updated
Celebrations are continuing in New Zealand following today's coronation of the seventh maori monarch - King Tuheitia Paki. Royalty and political leaders from across the Pacific travelled to the small central North Island town of Ngaruawahia for the culmination of the week-long event .
Presenter: New Zealand correspondent Peter Lewis
SINGING: Men and women from the Tainui tribe serenading their new King -
CHANTING
Tuheitia Paki the seventh monarch in this 150 year old royal dynasty .
The 52 year former truck driver took over many of the roles and responsibilities as head of the King movement a year ago on the death of his mother Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
But in keeping with tradition he has observed a very low public profile during the official 12 month period of mourning, moving around the country meeting other maori leaders and undertaking a series of overseas trips, accompanied every step of the way by his closest adviser, and former Minister for Maori Affairs Koro Wheteri .
WHETERI
The role of Maori monarch is somewhat unusual ...Tuheitia is neither king for ALL maori nor the holder of any official diplomatic or political office, yet during his mother's 40 year reign it became all these things and more, to maori and pakeha alike .
Dame Te Ata particularly forged close links across the Pacific and was in every respect one of the great modern polynesian leaders according Samoa's new head of state Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Efi
EFI: No one underestimates the dimension of the challenge the quietly spoken father of three has accepted but according to Koro Wheteri he is equal to the task and looking forward to making his mark for maori .
WHETERI [maori]
TUHEITIA [maori]
Significantly he made his first speech entirely in te reo the maori language a speech that included a call for tainui and maoridom in general to seize the opportunities and move forward with the strength that comes from unity .
TUHEITIA
SINGING / CHANTING
