New Zealand’s Māori king has called a rare nationwide meeting. Here’s why

New Zealand Māori mark Waitangi Day national holiday at Waitangi in 2019. Maori leaders are set to discuss their reaction to new government policies at a rare national meeting called by the Kiingitanga. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images

An estimated 3,000 Māori leaders, tribal representatives and a number of politicians are expected to meet this week, after the Kiingitanga* – the Māori king movement – called for a rare national meeting amid simmering tensions over the new National-led government’s direction for Māori.

Late last year, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII issued the extremely rare royal proclamation asking iwi (tribes) to meet to “unify the nation and ensure all voices are heard when holding the new coalition government to account”.