Māori Television will broadcast live from the Waikato coronation commemorations as Tainui marks the first year of reign of Kīngi Tuheitia – the eldest son of the late Māori Queen, Dame Te Atairangikaahu – on Tuesday August 21 at 10.00 AM.

The three-and-a-half hour special from the seat of the King movement (Te Kīngitanga), Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawahia, will include the first ever public address by the seventh Māori monarch, Tuheitia Paki.

  The Kīngitanga began in the 1850s in an attempt to halt the sales of land and to promote Māori authority in New Zealand. Iwi from throughout the country attend the annual coronation celebrations (or koroneihana) which includes events such as sports, kapa haka, music and exhibitions.   Māori Television’s Julian Wilcox and Wena Harawira will co-host the special broadcast which will include an interdenominational church service and a special salute to the new Māori King by the waka taua as they make their way down the Waikato River.  

A celebration of the first coronation of Kīngi Tuheitia, HE WHAKANUI I TE KORONEIHANA TE TUATAHI O KĪNGI TUHEITIA screens on Māori Television on Tuesday August 21 from 10.00 AM to 1.30 PM.