Kiingi Tuheitia to host special dinner to celebrate Matariki
‘Matariki’ or the constellation Pleiades heralds the Maaori new year and the constellation itself is a defining symbol
in Kiingi Tuheitia’s Royal Coat of Arms, Te Paki o Matariki.
Tomorrow around 150 invited guests will attend a Matariki dinner at the Waikato-Tainui College for Research and
Development, to celebrate the Kiingitanga and the beginning of the new year. Spokesman Rahui Papa says that this is the
first time that Kiingi Tuheitia has hosted a formal Matariki dinner, and he expects that the occasion will be very
special and very unique.
“The celebrations commence with a ceremony on Friday afternoon to acknowledge the new sculpture erected opposite
Tuurangawaewae House in Ngaaruawaahia,” said Mr Papa. “The enormous steel mask depicts the tattooed faces or moko of
King Taawhiao and his father the first Maaori King Pootatau Te Wherowhero.
“The sculpture was first unveiled earlier this month in collaboration with Waikato communities and the Waikato District
Council. Tomorrow a number of dignitaries will be arriving to attend the King’s dinner including Iwi leaders from
throughout the motu. They will first come to the Octagon Reserve to honour the sculpture, and to pay homage to our Kings
and our Kiingitanga through the acknowledgement of the completion of the sculpture’s support structures and associated
adornments.”
Mr Papa says that the Matariki dinner will follow and it is an opportunity for Kiingi Tuheitia to finalise his
Coronation arrangements for August.
“Around 248 ‘paki’ or proclamations are sent out by the Office of the Kiingitanga each year to announce the King’s
coronation dates and the programme for the week long commemoration. Given the calibre of those attending tomorrow’s
Matariki dinner, this is such a fitting occasion to finalise and ‘seal’ the proclamation. The King’s Matariki dinner
will become an annual event on the formal calendar of Te Kiingitanga.”
Keynote speakers have been invited to present a range of matters of national and international significance and
importance to Kiingitanga. Mr Papa says that these are likely to be matters that will be further addressed at the
Coronation.
“Keynote speakers include Emeritus Professor Ranginui Walker, and the South African High Commissioner Her Excellency
Mtombizodwa Msuthukazi Lallie.
“Dinner speeches will conclude with a special address from His Majesty Kiingi Tuheitia.”
ENDS