New Zealand Crowns New Māori Queen: A New Era Begins

Posted by: lukwago J in World news September 5, 2024

A new queen has been crowned as the eighth Māori monarch in New Zealand, marking a significant moment in the country’s indigenous history. Twenty-seven-year-old Ngā Wai hono i te pō was chosen as Kuini by a council of New Zealand’s indigenous Māori chiefs during an elaborate ceremony in the country’s North Island.

This momentous occasion is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Māori people.

Ngā Wai hono i te pō is the youngest child of King Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII, who passed away last Friday at the age of 69.

She is only the second Māori queen, following in the footsteps of her grandmother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.

This royal lineage is a source of pride for the Māori people, and Ngā Wai hono i te pō’s ascension to the throne is a celebration of their history and traditions.

The new queen was announced at a gathering at Tûrangawaewae Marae, the seat of the Kiingitanga or Māori king movement.

Sitting on a carved wooden throne, Ngā Wai hono i te pō was surrounded by her people as prayers and chants were performed. A flotilla of war canoes sat ready to take the king’s coffin to his final resting place on Mount Taupiri, a sacred site for the Māori people.

A unifying force: Remembering king Tuheitia

The late King Tuheitia was a unifying figure, recently calling on Māori to stand together in the face of policies targeting them. Born Tūheitia Paki in 1955, he was crowned in 2006 following the death of his mother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.

King Tuheitia’s passing has been met with an outpouring of grief, with Rahui Papa, spokesman for the Kiingitanga or Māori king movement, saying, “The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maaoridom and the entire nation.”

The Māori monarchy dates back to 1858, when the Māori people decided to create a unifying figure similar to that of a European monarch.

The role is largely ceremonial, aimed at preserving Māori culture and preventing the widespread loss of land to New Zealand ‘s British colonisers. As Ngā Wai hono i te pō begins her reign, she will carry on this important tradition, serving as a symbol of Māori unity and resilience.

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