New Maori Queen Ascends the Throne, Marking a New Era for the Indigenous Peopleof New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand – On September 5th, 2024, the Maori people of New Zealand welcomed a new monarch, 27-year-old Te Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki, following the formal burial of the previous King, Tuheitia VII. The young queen, the eighth monarch ofthe Maori people, becomes the second woman to hold the title after her grandmother, Queen Te Atairangikaahu.
Te Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki’s ascension marks a significant moment inMaori history. She is not only the second youngest monarch in the history of the Maori people but also brings a wealth of cultural knowledge and experience to the role. A graduate of Waikato University with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s degree in Maori language, she is also a skilled kapa haka dancer, a traditional dance form deeply intertwined with her cultural identity.
The selection process for the new monarch spanned six days, culminating in a vote by 12 tribal representatives of the Kīngitanga Maori movement. These representatives play a crucial rolein the succession of the Maori royal family. The new queen will continue to lead the Kīngitanga movement, an organization established to unite Maori tribes across the country and protect their land from European colonization.
The coronation ceremony evoked a sense of poignant nostalgia, mirroring the scene witnessed 18 years ago whenTe Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki stood beside her father, Tuheitia VII, during his coronation. On both occasions, she stood draped in a blanket, facing the coffins of her grandmother and father, respectively.
As the paramount leader of the Maori people, Queen TePuhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki carries the weighty responsibility of safeguarding the interests of her people. Following her coronation, the Maori people will hold the funeral for Tuheitia VII. The New Zealand Transport Agency has advised motorists to avoid the Auckland to Waikato section of State Highway 1on the day of the funeral, anticipating heavy traffic due to the large number of attendees.
The new queen’s ascension represents a significant shift for the Maori people, ushering in a new era under the leadership of a young and culturally-rooted monarch. Her reign promises to be marked by a renewed focus onpreserving Maori traditions, strengthening the Kīngitanga movement, and ensuring the continued well-being of the Maori people. The world watches with anticipation as Queen Te Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki begins her journey as the new leader of the Maori people.
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