Members of the country’s largest iwi, Ngāpuhi, arrived in big numbers this morning to Tūrangawaewae Marae to pay their respects to Kīngi Tūheitia, who died on Friday aged 69.
The Northern tribe are among the 13 iwi – including Ngāi Tahu, Mataatua waka and Te Atiawa – to be represented in the first contingent to be welcomed at the 8am pōwhiri onto Tūrangawaewae Marae.
The Māori King, Tuheitia Paki (crowned Te Arikinui Kīngi Tuheitia), died following complications from heart surgery just a few days after his 18th Koroneihana celebrations.
![Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer was among today's mourners at Tūrangawaewae Marae. Photo / Kīngitanga](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/GICYQZ3AGNCCNGY7XKDXK5WC2M.jpg?auth=f293e054254b7fdf19ee2dff145f0d3f28c6801f95ffe8a22a5a416d8df4c067&width=16&height=16&quality=70&smart=true)
Yesterday, on day three of the tangihanga, guests included the Governor-General, members of the Rātana Church and iwi including Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kauwhata and Ngāti Hine.