New Zealand’s Māori Queen Crowned, Hailed as A New Dawn
Auckland, New Zealand – Nga Wai Hono i te Po, 27, was formally crowned as the new Māori Queen of New Zealand on Thursday, September 5th, in a grand ceremony held on the NorthIsland. The young queen, who succeeds her late father, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Redowhero VII, has been hailed by Māori leadersas a new dawn for the community.
Nga Wai Hono i te Po inherited the throne from her father, who passed away on August 30th after an 18-year reign. She is the youngestdaughter of the late king and the eighth Māori monarch since the position was established in 1858, making her the second Māori queen. Her grandmother, Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu, held the position for fortyyears, from 1966 until her death.
The new queen holds a Master’s degree in Māori Cultural Studies from the University of Waikato and has worked for the Waitangi National Trust. In recent years, she has accompanied her father to numerous events, gaining valuable experience in the role.
The Kiingitanga, or Māori King Movement, was founded in 1858 with the aim of uniting Māori tribes under one leader to resist British colonization and protect Māori culture and land. While the position of Māori monarch holds significant political and symbolic weight, it has no legal standing. It is considered the highest chiefly positionwithin the Māori community.
The Kiingitanga Council, composed of 12 elders from various Māori tribes, selected Nga Wai Hono i te Po as the new queen. The role is not strictly hereditary, as the late king had two sons.
“We follow the tikanga (customs) ofour ancestors who created the Kiingitanga to unite and uplift our people, and we have chosen Nga Wai Hono i te Po as our new monarch,” said Che Wilson, an elder of the Māori tribes.
According to the 2023 census, there are approximately 900,000 Māori people in New Zealand, representing about 17% of the country’s population. The coronation of Nga Wai Hono i te Po marks a significant moment for the Māori community, symbolizing continuity and leadership in a time of evolving cultural and political landscapes.
The coronation ceremony was a celebration of Māori traditionsand culture, with thousands of people from across the country gathering to witness the historic event. The new queen’s reign is expected to usher in a new era of leadership and engagement for the Māori community, as she navigates the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
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