17 Aug 2011

Fifth coronation anniversary for Maori king

6:13 pm on 17 August 2011

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the coronation of the Maori King Tuheitia.

Thousands of people including iwi and hapu from around the country will head to Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia for the five day event.

King Tuheitia was first crowned in 2006.

The occasion, also known as Koroneihana, includes a service for kawe mate - where families return the spirit of someone with ties to Tainui who have died since the last coronation.

The event began on Wednesday and will continue until Sunday.

The final day remembers when King Tuheitia was first appointed - when he like others in his family were crowned by the symbolic act of a Holy Bible being suspended over their heads while prayers were recited.