Tūwharetoa in mourning at passing of Paramount Chief

The Paramount Chief of Ngāti Tūwharetoa has passed away.

Sir Tumu Te Heuheu Tūkino VIII, KNZM. Photo: Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board

By Bronson Perich

A statement from his office said Sir Tumu Te Heuheu Tūkino VIII, KNZM, passed away with his wife, Lady Susan Te Heuheu, and his family by his side.

He celebrated his 84th birthday in August.

Sir Tumu was elected Paramount Chief of Ngāti Tūwharetoa after the passing of his father, Sir Hepi Te Heuheu, in 1997.

Since then, he has undertaken a variety of roles in New Zealand and around the world.

As the first New Zealander to chair UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, he led the successful bid to add Tongariro National Park to the World Heritage List.

It is now one of the few sites in the world to hold a dual listing, which recognises both its natural features and its cultural significance.

His quiet dignity, calm leadership, and dedication to his people guided Ngāti Tūwharetoa through the past three decades.

In his last media interview, Sir Tumu expressed his wish that Tongariro National Park be returned to his iwi, after being gifted to the nation in the 1880s.

A wish he now bequeaths to his mourning iwi.

E taku Ariki e! Moe mai, moe mai, okioki atu rā. (My Lord! Sleep now, sleep now, rest in peace).

Te Kapua Whakapipi statement

“Tītaka kau ana ngā manu o te ata ka riro, ko koe rā!

“Tiria atu rā ki te aroaro o te atua nāna koe i whakakate ki te whatu o te kore!

“Tumu i te haroharo ki Hawaiki, Tumu ariki whakarae ki Rangiātea, Tumu whakairihia ki te Kātoatoa, Te Heuheu Tūkino Tumu Tahito Urungāngana!

“Kia whana ō ringaringa, kia hōkai ō waewae ki te rangituatahi, ki te rangituarea!

“Ka hinga koe ka takoto kei te whenua, ka haruru tō rongo ki te taha o te rangi!

“E Heu, e te Ariki, ka tangi atu.

“We, the people of Tüwharetoa and Te Whare o Te Heuheu are bereft at the loss of our humble chief, Ariki Tã Tumu Te Heuheu Tukino VIII.

“Born on the shores of little Waihi to the late Ariki Sir Hepi Te Heuheu and Lady Pauline Te Heuheu, Sir Tumu leaves behind a proud legacy.

“His life was dedicated to the people, the whenua and the maunga. He passed peacefully with his wife, Lady Susan Te Heuheu and whānau by his side.”

Statement from Taupō District Council

Taupō District Council acknowledges passing of Tā Tumu Te Heuheu:

With immense sadness we acknowledge the passing of Tā Tumu Te Heuheu Tukino VIII, Ariki of Ngāti Tūwharetoa; and send condolences to Lady Susan Te Heuheu and Tā Tumu’s whānau, ngā hapū o Ngāti Tūwharetoa, and all those affected by his passing.

Taupō District Mayor David Trewavas says Tā Tumu was a man of great mana, who led his people with dignity and strength.

“I knew Tā Tumu personally over many years and admired and respected him deeply. His influence and leadership have made a huge mark, not just for his iwi and hapū but on the wider Taupō district and its people,” Mr Trewavas says.

“This is a difficult time for the people of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and I join with them in mourning Tā Tumu’s passing. I also extend condolences to the iwi and Tā Tumu’s whānau on behalf of the Taupō District Council, its elected members and staff.”

The flag at the Great Lake Centre will be flying at half-mast from tomorrow as a mark of respect.

Louise Upston, MP for Taupō

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Tumu Te Heuheu Tūkino VIII, the esteemed ariki of Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

Sir Tumu was a leader of immense mana, who carried his responsibilities with humility and strength. His guardianship of Tongariro, Taupō-nui-a-Tia and the taiao ensured their mauri will endure for generations to come. His leadership extended beyond Ngāti Tūwharetoa, shaping the future of iwi, Māori, and Aotearoa as a whole.

I was privileged to know Sir Tumu and to witness his wisdom, dignity, and aroha for his people and his whenua. His legacy will stand as a guide for us all. His words of encouragement over the years have been significant to me and I shall never forget his thoughtfulness and his quiet, calm leadership.

I send my condolences to Lady Susan, the whānau pani, and to Ngāti Tūwharetoa. I extend my aroha at this very sad time.

Haere atu rā e te rangatira.

Go forth, esteemed leader.

Haere ki o tīpuna.

Return to your ancestors.

Haere ki te whare kōiwi o Tongariro.

Rest in the sacred house of bones at Tongariro.

Moe mai rā.

Rest in peace.