King Tuheitia invites cultural representatives to powhiri
King Tuheitia made the history books last week by inviting representatives from ethnic communities to a special powhiri.
The Race Relations Commissioner has welcomed as “gracious” and “wonderful” an invitation from King Tuheitia to different ethnic groups to send representatives to a powhiri.
King Tuheitia encouraged representatives from different ethnic backgrounds to attend the fifth Koroneihana (coronation) celebration at Ngaruawahia’s Turangawaewae marae recently in an attempt to deepen the relationship between cultures.
Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said the powhiri was a significant occasion that would certainly be remembered.
“This is the first time that a special welcome has been held by the King to recognise the diversity of New Zealand society,” he said.
“I applaud the invitation; it was a wonderful gesture and a gracious acknowledgement of the many communities that make up New Zealand today.”
The King greeted members of many ethnic community representatives at the powhiri.
Later in the day King Tuheitia also welcomed members of government, holding a separate hui for members of the Muslim community on Saturday morning.
Mr de Bres said that there was strong interest from ethnic community representatives, including members of the Auckland Council Ethnic Advisory Board, the New Zealand Chinese Association, and police ethnic liaison officers.
King Tuheitia is the seventh head of the Kingitanga movement, one of New Zealand’s longest standing political institutions.
The coronation powhiri preceded the 2011 New Zealand Diversity Forum in Hamilton which hosted practical discussions on topical diversity issues.
