The Māori King, Kiingi Tūheitia, and his wife are flying out of Auckland International Airport today to attend Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.
The funeral will take place on Monday September 19 in Westminster Abbey, London.
The Māori King travels with a small team but it is only himself and his wife who will attend the funeral alongside other New Zealanders such as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Sir Tipene O'Regan and Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro.
"Kiingi Tūheitia feels for his friend King Charles III and their family at this time in their loss of a mother and a grandmother," said Ngira Simmonds, the Māori King's spokesperson.
"On behalf of the Kiingitanga [The Māori monarch] and Te Iwi Māori [Māori society] it's an immense privilege now to travel to the United Kingdom to represent our people."
Simmonds said the Māori King's attendance will also honour the close relationship his late mother, Dame Te Atairangikaahu and Queen Elizabeth, shared.
Kiingi Tūheitia joins other indigenous monarchs such as Tonga's King Tupou VI and Samoan head of state Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II, Masiofo Fa'amausili in the celebration of the life of the world's longest reigning monarch.
