Ride-on mower sends King to emergency dept

King Tuheitia. Photo / Rotorua Daily Post

A run-in with a ride-on mower is being blamed for keeping the Maori King from at least one high-profile event this week.

Tainui sources say the monarch's mower mishap resulted in a trip to the emergency department of Waikato Hospital.

"It wasn't major - he just hurt his shoulder. It's just left him a bit uncomfortable," one member of the tribe said.

A Waikato Hospital spokeswoman said King Tuheitia, who lives in Huntly, sought treatment on Labour Day, but was not admitted. Because of the accident, the King missed the swearing-in of Super City councillors in Auckland on Monday this week.

Rewi Spraggon of the Auckland Council said King Tuheitia's chief of staff, Rangi Whakaruru, told organisers of a change of plans before the ceremony.

"He was coming as late as last week. However, they just said there's been some unforseen circumstances."

The King's son, Whatumoana Paki, and other family members stood in for him.

A director in the King's office, Greg Miller, yesterday refused to give details of Tuheitia's injury, other than to confirm it was related to domestic chores.

"Yes, he has injured himself, but he's recovering well."

Mr Miller would not be drawn on whether the King enjoys mowing his lawns.

Tuheitia is the patron of several sports and charitable organisations and although he is prominent at iwi functions, he rarely gives media interviews.

Mana magazine veteran journalist Derek Fox interviewed him in 2008 and called him the "humble king".