Media Release

For Immediate Release

27 July 2014

Ngapuhi wants to overthrow Maori King

Ngapuhi is planning a hui for the end of the year – organised by iwi leader David Rankin – in which the future of the King Movement will be discussed.

The hui will be held on Ngapuhi territory, and will be open to all iwi. Mr Rankin says that the time has come to close down the King Movement for good. “When you see a badly injured horse, sometimes you have no choice but to put it out of its misery”, He says. “The same applies to the King Movement. The present truck-driver king cannot speak Maori, has to have other Maori advise him on basic protocol, and has been ordered by Tuku Morgan never to make any public statements. This is not a King by an object of nationwide ridicule.”

The other concern Ngapuhi has is the very use of the term “Maori King”. “In reality”, says Mr Rankin, “Tuheitia would be lucky to have enough of a following to call himself the King of Huntly. He is not the King of Maori, and to say otherwise is simply narcissism and factually incorrect.”

Mr Rankin has said the matter has come to a head because of the actions of the King’s son and heir to the throne. “How much more shame and embarrassment should Maori around the country endure for the sake of this pretend monarchy? “ asks Mr Rankin “It’s a sham and it’s time to bring this colonial relic of an institution to an end”.

The hui is scheduled for the end of November, and is expected to run for a week, during which time iwi representatives from around the country will speak on the King Movement.

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