Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi has called for the Government to formally recognise the mana and status of the Māori King, Kīngi Tuheitia.
Waititi was speaking at the pōwhiri for political parties at the Koroneihana in Ngāruawāhia yesterday.
He said he wanted the Māori King to receive the “keys to the country” and to enjoy the same diplomatic rights that King Charles has as a sovereign in the UK and during visits to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Waititi said said this would avoid the poor treatment Kīngi Tuiheitia had been subject to in the past.
In May, the Kingitanga was offended by comments made by the NZ High Commissioner to the UK, Phil Goff, at a London function of NZ delegates attending King Charles’ coronation.