Kingmaker remembered as a humble and respected leader is laid to rest

Thursday, 30 June 2022

Hundreds gathered at Rukumoana marae near Morrinsville to pay their respects to a cherished figure amongst the kiingitanga and beyond. Anaru Tamihana, Te tumuaki o te Kiingitanga was laid to rest on Wednesday by his whānau.

As pale, cloudy skies laid a veil over the lands, the people of Ngāti Hauā gathered on their tūrangawaewae to bid their whānau member farewell.

Wednesday marked the final day and nehu (burial day) for Anaru Tarapipipi Wiripoai Te Awaitaia Tamihana, a cherished figure and ‘kingmaker’ of the Kiingitanga, who died over the weekend.

Hundreds ascended onto the ātea (front lawn area) at Rukumoana marae near Morrinsville to pay their respects and reminisce, with waiata and haka ringing out.

Kaumātua and chairman of Ngāti Hauā iwi trust, Mokoro Gillett, was close with Tamihana and spoke fondly of their time together, saying Tamihana was very wise and business savvy but also always humble.

Kaumātua and chairman of Ngāti Hauā iwi trust, Mokoro Gillett spoke about his whanaunga (relative).

Anaru Tamihana (pictured with his wife Hine), was given a final farewell on Wednesday.

“It’s kind of a day of a bit of sadness and reflection, we were all shocked when he passed away … and optimistic that he would be around for a few more years,” Gillett said.

“It’s just immense to have the tumuaki of the Kiingitanga back at his turangawaewae, with his people and with his ancestors, it’s just really special.”

Chief of staff to the Kiingitanga, arch deacon Ngira Simmonds.

Tamihana was the descendant of a long lineage of ‘tumuaki o te Kiingitanga’, a role bestowed upon him and his forefathers to anoint each monarch of the Kiingitanga.

He carried the responsibility of crowning the current Māori King, Tūheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII.

It was a role which his ancestor Wiremu Tamihana exercised during the coronation of the first Māori King, Kiingi Potatau Te Wherowhero in 1858.

Chief of staff to the Kiingitanga, arch deacon Ngira Simmonds, spoke at the nehu.

Kai-wero help to lead the tūpāpaku and whānau pani down the gravel driveway towards the urupā.

“One of the beautiful things about Anaru is even if you didn’t meet him, even if you didn’t know him, you could still be his friend,” Simmonds said.

“He would still lay down his life for you.”

Tamihana was remembered for his dedication and persistent contribution to his people, the Kiingitanga and the community.

The Māori King, Kiingi Tūheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII.

This included helping to attain Ngāti Hauā’s treaty settlement, working in governance roles within Ngāti Haua and Waikato Tainui and working as a counsellor as well as a social worker for the community.

Tamihana also featured on the queen’s birthday honors list in 2014, as an officer of the New Zealand order of merit.

“He will be remembered, definitely remembered, he has left us a legacy, he was very humble about everything and that’s what everybody gravitated to,” Gillett said.

Tamihana’s son, John Tamihana will continue the protocol of the eldest son accepting the role of te tumuaki, following his father’s 20-year service.

Anaru Tamihana was laid to rest, at the turangawaewae of the tumuaki, he was 74.