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New Zealand's Maori King Tuheitia is being lauded as a tireless advocate for for justice and the nation's shared history after dying aged 69.
New Zealand's Maori King, Kiingi Tuheitia, has died aged 69, days after the celebration of his 18th year on the throne.
The death was confirmed by the office of the Kiingitanga early on Friday morning.
"Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has died peacefully ... accompanied by his wife Makau Ariki and their children Whatumoana, Korotangi and Ngawai Hono I Te Po," it read.
Tuheitia was in hospital recovering from heart surgery.
"It didn't quite go as we had all hoped," the Kiingitanga's chief of staff Ngira Simmonds told Radio NZ.
Tuheitia succeeded his mother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, following her death in 2006.
King Charles led tributes to Tuheitia, who he said he had known for decades.
"He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Maori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and...