Condolences For The Death Of King Maori Tuheitia, King Charles: A Big Totora Tree Has Fallen

JAKARTA - King of England Charles III said he was deeply saddened by the death of King Maori Kiingi Tuheitia, recalling the good relations of the two leaders and speaking earlier this month.

In a message of condolences released late Thursday, King Charles II recalls the "biggest pleasure" of knowing the King for decades and recalling "with great affection" meeting him many times, including at Buckingham Palace last year.

"My wife and I are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Kiingi Tuheitia. I am very pleased to have known Kiingi Tuheitia for decades. She is very committed to building a strong future for the New Zealand Maori and Aotearoos who were built on culture, tradition and healing, which she does with wisdom and affection," said King Charles III, quoted from Mirror August 30.

"I remember great affection when I met Kiingi Tuheitia many times, including when Her Majesty and I were warmly and friendlyly welcomed at Tuuranggawaewae Marae in 2015, and then again during our meeting at Buckingham Palace last year," he continued.

"The death was a surprise in itself considering I just spoke to Kiayi by telephone in early August. Kua to te thatara i Te Waonui a Tönne. (A large Totora tree has fallen.)," said King Charles III.

"My wife and I extend our deepest condolences to whaanau and Kiani Tuheitia's friends and everyone who will mourn her loss. Our special thoughts and prayers will accompany you in these most difficult and heartbreaking times," he continued.

As previously reported, New Zealand's King Maori Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII died peacefully on Friday morning at the age of 69, according to a statement released by his representative.

"The death of Kiani Tuheitia is a deep moment of grief for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maoridom and the whole nation," spokesman Rahui Papa said on social media.

He added that the King had been hospitalized to recover from heart surgery a few days after celebrating his 18th birthday of hisappropriation.

It is known, Kiayi Tuheitia replaces her mother, Ratu Dame Te Atirangikaahu. Her treatment was held on August 21, 2006.

The role of the Maori king should not be hereditary and a new leader will be appointed by tribal chiefs linked to the King's Movement on the funeral day of Kiani Tuheitia but before he is buried, according to Radio New Zealand.

King Maori is considered the supreme tribal chief of several tribes, or iwi, but is not affiliated with everything. The role of the king has no legal or judicial authority in New Zealand and is largely ceremonial.

The King's Movement, or Kiingitanga, began in 1858 in an effort to unite New Zealand's native tribes under one leader to strengthen their resistance to colonialism.