In a historic ceremony, 27-year-old Ngā Wai hono i te pō has been crowned as the eighth Māori monarch, following the death of her father, Kiingi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII, who was laid to rest on Thursday.
The coronation took place at Tūrangawaewae Marae in New Zealand’s North Island, marking a significant generational shift for the Māori King movement, or Kiingitanga.
Ngā Wai hono i te pō, now the second Māori queen, was chosen by a council of Māori chiefs during the traditional Te Whakawahinga ceremony. This selection process, involving chants, prayers, and a blessing with the Bible used to crown the first Māori king in 1858, took place as thousands gathered to honor the late king. Ngā Wai sat beside her father’s coffin, adorned in ceremonial attire, before his final journey to Mount Taupiri, a sacred Māori burial site.
The new queen, who holds a master’s degree in Māori cultural studies, has been widely seen as a symbol of renewal and hope for younger generations. Her ascent marks only the second time a woman has held the Māori monarchy since its establishment in 1858, with her grandmother, Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, being the first.
Kiingi Tuheitia, who passed away at the age of 69, was remembered as a unifying leader. His death has drawn condolences from across New Zealand, with political leaders praising his dedication to Māori rights and cultural preservation. The mourning period was extended from three to seven days to accommodate the large number of delegations paying their respects.
Ngā Wai hono i te pō’s crowning represents both continuity and change within the Kiingitanga movement, which has long served as a symbol of Māori identity and unity in the face of colonial history.
With input from Al Jazeera, BBC, and the Guardian.
