Sir Tumu Te Heuheu death and tangihanga

The story so far

Ngāti Tūwharetoa paramount chief Sir Tumu Te Heuheu Tūkino VIII died aged 84 after serving as ariki since 1997.^{23 Sep 2025} Public proceedings for his tangihanga were set to begin at Tapeka Marae in Waihī, and motorists were warned of delays on SH1 and SH41 near Taupō and Tūrangi.^{25 Sep 2025} Mourners from across the country travelled to the marae, and hundreds gathered in Waihī to pay their respects.^{26, 28 Sep 2025} He was remembered for his dedication to his people and the environment.^{28 Sep 2025} Following a burial ceremony at Waihī Marae in Tūrangi, his son, Gerrard Te Rangimaheu Te Heuheu Tūkino IX, was named the next ariki of Ngāti Tūwharetoa.^{30 Sep 2025}

Latest

Gerrard Te Rangimaheu Te Heuheu Tūkino IX has been named as the next ariki of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, succeeding his father.^{30 Sep 2025}

Key moments

1. 23 Sep 2025Paramount chief Sir Tumu Te Heuheu dies aged 84; ariki since 1997.
2. 25 Sep 2025Tangihanga announced; traffic delays expected on SH1 and SH41 for five days.
3. 26 Sep 2025Mourners travel to Tapeka Marae as public proceedings begin in Waihī.
4. 28 Sep 2025Hundreds gather in Waihī to mourn the Ngāti Tūwharetoa paramount chief.
5. 30 Sep 2025Son Gerrard Te Rangimaheu Te Heuheu Tūkino IX named next ariki after burial.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.