The small settlement of Waihi on the southern shores of Lake Taupō is awash with mourners as hundreds are bused into Tapeka Marae to pay their respects to the eighth paramount chief of Tuwharetoa, Sir Tumu Te Heuheu who passed away on Tuesday aged 84 years.
In 1997 he took the reigns from his father Sir Hepi Te Heuheu Tukino the seventh.
Ta Tumu is a descendant of Horonuku Te Heuheu Tukino the 4th who in 1887 gifted the mountains of Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe to New Zealand for the creation of Tongariro National Park.
Former Māori Issues Correspondent for RNZ, Chris Wikaira speaks to Mihingarangi Forbes.
Sir Tumu Te Heuheu Tūkino VIII Photo: Supplied/The Hui
