The Maori King has told tangata whenua to protect their rights over waterways.
Today marks six years since King Tuheitia Paki was crowned, after the death of his mother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
Kingi Tuheitia delivered his annual speech on Tuesday to a crowd of hundreds of people at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia.
In his korerorero, he spoke about the purpose of the king movement, and topical matters such as the water and kohanga keo claims being investigated by the Waitangi Tribunal.
He said water ownership is a pressing matter that needs to be addressed and Maori must stand together and protect their rights, as water and tangata whenua are inseparable.
The King said that the kingitanga is about unifying the people and working together.
