Māori Television will broadcast live coverage of the tangihanga of Samoa’s Head of State, his Majesty Malietoa Tanumafili II, from Samoa this Saturday May 19. 

Malietoa, who passed away on May 11 at the age of 94, had led Samoa since it achieved independence in 1962. He was the world's third longest reigning living monarch after Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has reigned since 1946, and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who ascended to the throne in 1952. 

Māori Television – which screened extensive coverage of the funerals of both the Māori Queen and the King of Tonga last year – will advise more details about the live broadcast from the state funeral in Samoa shortly. 

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