The Māori King, Kiingi Tuheitia, is set to have a kidney transplant next week.
Kiingi Tuheitia making his annual speech at Turangawaewae in August Photo: RNZ / Shannon Haunui-Thompson
The donor will be his youngest son, Korotangi.
Waikato Tainui have begun the traditional Pai Mārire prayer process for the king, which will continue morning and night until he has recovered.
A spokesperson for the king said he was in good spirits.
Kingi Tuheitia is the seventh Māori monarch.
Andrew Little says he is yet to have a meeting with the Māori King after two years as Labour Party leader.
Labour MP Nanaia Mahuta is calling for transparency from Māori Party president Tukoroirangi Morgan, saying he may be confusing iwi business with politics.
The Māori Party president will try to persuade iwi around the country to formally back the party, after being boosted by an endorsement from the Māori King.
Power Play - The Māori King's politically driven statements have put a spanner in the works for Labour, writes Chris Bramwell.
The Māori Party is to work more closely with the Māori King movement on what it describes as "key issues for the betterment of Maori".
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