Tributes Flow for Māori Broadcasting Pioneer Henare Kingi Following His Passing at 91

The Māori broadcasting community is celebrating the life and enduring legacy of Matua Henare Kingi (Ngāpuhi), a pioneering voice who helped establish Māori radio in Aotearoa. Kingi passed away early Tuesday morning, 14 July 2026, at his home in Lower Hutt, surrounded by his tamariki and mokopuna at the age of 91. For 25 years, Kingi was the heart of Te Upoko o Te Ika in Wellington, the nation’s first Māori radio station. Having joined during its early years in the 1980s, he was instrumental in normalising te reo Māori on the airwaves. RNZ reports that he was a tireless advocate for the language, bringing a unique blend of warmth and professionalism to his broadcasts and serving as a vital mentor for subsequent generations of Māori journalists. His immense contributions were recognised both by his peers and the Crown. In 2007, he received the Takoha Nui o te Tau at the Māori Media Awards for his lifetime service. He was later appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2016 New Year Honours. Beyond the studio, Kingi served as a cultural adviser to several national institutions, including Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori and the National Library. Following his retirement in 2012, Kingi remained a dedicated kaumatua, frequently providing cultural guidance and karakia for the sector. His whānau confirmed that his tūpāpaku will be taken to Koraunui Marae in Stokes Valley on Wednesday. On Thursday, 16 July 2026, he will be taken to Whitiora Marae at Te Tii, Mangonui, to return to his ancestral lands in Te Tai Tokerau. He is remembered as a rangatira who used the power of media to uphold Māori identity and serve his community.