The Green Party acknowledges the life, contribution and passing of Tā Tumu Te Heuheu Tūkino VIII, the ariki of Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
"We are mourning Tā Tumu Te Heuheu, an unrelenting ariki who loved his whakapapa: tāngata and taiao alike," says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.
"Tā Tumu was respected across Aotearoa for his kaitiakitanga, particularly as kaitiaki of Tongariro, the maunga tapu first gifted to the Crown by his ancestor Horonuku Te Heuheu Tūkino IV.
"Tā Tumu's last great battle was for Tongariro te maunga and the national park to be returned to Ngāti Tūwharetoa. There is nothing more noble than to fight for your whakapapa.
"The Green Party sends our aroha to Lady Susan Te Heuheu, and all uri of Tongariro te maunga.
"E te rangatira, hoki atu ki ō nui me ō rahi. Hoki Tūwharetoa atu," says Marama Davidson on behalf of the Green Party.
