The Māori King is a traditional leadership role within the Māori Kingitanga movement, which was founded in 1858. The Kingitanga movement seeks to unify Māori under a single sovereign authority.
The current Māori King is King Tuheitia Paki, who ascended to the throne in 2006.
Apirana Ngata's contributions to Māori society were significant, but they were in different areas:
* Politician: He was a member of the New Zealand Parliament for over 30 years, advocating for Māori rights and interests.
* Cultural revivalist: He was instrumental in reviving Māori culture and language, establishing institutions like the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.
* Land reformer: He played a key role in the development of the Māori Land Court, which aimed to protect Māori land ownership.
It's important to note the distinction between the Māori King and other prominent Māori leaders like Apirana Ngata. While both hold positions of great significance within Māori society, their roles and functions are distinct.