Kiingi Tuheitia to host special dinner to celebrate Matariki

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

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