By A new Maori Queen was anointed Thursday as thousands gathered to bid farewell to her father, King Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, who died last week at 69 following surgery.
Representatives announced that Nga Wai Hono i te Po, 27, had been chosen by Maori elders to succeed her father. The anointment ceremony, known as Te Whakawahinga, took place during the tangihanga (funeral and burial) of King Tuheitia at Tuurangawaewae, the meeting place of the King movement.
In a traditional ceremony, Archbishop Don Tamihere placed a bible, used since 1858, upon the new queen’s head and anointed her with sacred oils to bestow prestige, sacredness, power and spiritual essence.
Following the anointment, King Tuheitia’s coffin was transported by hearse to the Waikato River, then paddled in a flotilla of traditional Maori waka (canoes) to Taupiri Mountain for burial alongside other royals and high-profile Maori.
The Maori monarch, while considered the paramount chief of several tribes (iwi), holds no judicial or legal authority in New Zealand and serves a largely ceremonial role. The position is not hereditary but voted on by representatives from iwi across the country.
Nga Wai Hono i te Po, the only daughter and youngest child of King Tuheitia and his wife Te Atawhai Makau Ariki, holds a Master of Arts in Tikanga Maori and has served on various boards, including the Te Kohanga Reo National Trust, which focuses on revitalizing the Maori language.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon welcomed the new queen’s appointment, stating she would carry forward the mantle of leadership left by her father.
The anointment comes at a critical time for race relations in New Zealand. The country’s center-right coalition government, which took office last year, has begun reversing policies of previous administrations, particularly those promoting the official use of the Maori language, enhancing Indigenous living standards and rights, and addressing historical wrongs from colonization.
In January, King Tuheitia held a gathering of tribes to discuss responses to government plans. His daughter, now the new queen, stood beside him as he emphasized the importance of their voices.
As New Zealand grapples with these challenges, the new Maori Queen’s role in representing and advocating for Indigenous interests is likely to be closely watched in the coming months and years.
