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Also arriving today is the Ariki of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Sir Tumu Te Heuheu Tūkino VIII, and his Māori people.
Tuaretoa has been a close ally of the King since its inception.
Kirrow said she came here today wearing three hats – Governor-General, representative of the people of New Zealand, and sister of the King.
She thanked the Kīngi and Waikato people for their warm reception at Tūrangawaewae.
“I know, when Jinji Tūheitia calls the nation to hui a tau, and only here can 10,000 people respond to the call and make this happen.
“This is a testament to you, Koro, and to your people.”
Veteran activist Tāme Iti said he was a descendant of Wiremu Tāmihana, the “kingmaker” and one of the founders of Kingitanga, and came to Turangavai to pay respects to the king.
Xiao Wang said This year, Tūheitia has really found his voice and started making his ideas and concepts known.
“It’s a small change … rather than just relying on his kāhui ariki as his only voice.”
“But it was really good to hear the king during that time, to hear his own voice, his own thoughts, to understand where he was coming from.”
Massey University professor Meihana Durie said Maori must continue to pursue the king. The legacy of Tuheitia.
“We are increasingly seeing the king’s extraordinary ability to unite his people in these very difficult circumstances.
“So I think for us as Māori we need to make sure we uphold that tradition and work in the spirit of kōtahitanga as the King encourages us to do.”
Waikato Police have informed motorists that road closures will be in place daily around Tūrangawaewae Marae until after the Kīngi Tūheitia funeral on Thursday.
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