Nga Wai Hono i te Po Named New Maori Queen

Nga Wai Hono i te Po, a 27-year-old graduate from the University of Waikato, has been anointed as the new Māori Queen of New Zealand following the death of her father, King Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII, who passed away after heart surgery. The anointment ceremony, known as Te Whakawahinga, took place in front of thousands during her father's funeral, marking a significant moment in Māori culture as she is the second woman to hold this position in its 160-year history. Her selection by tribal chiefs is seen as a break from tradition, which typically favors male successors, and reflects a desire for younger leadership amid contemporary challenges facing the Māori community. The ceremony involved placing a historic Bible on her head and using sacred oils to bestow her with power and prestige. Following the ceremony, the late king was laid to rest at Mount Taupiri, a sacred site for the Māori. This transition symbolizes both continuity and change within the Māori royal lineage, as the community seeks to address modern issues through refreshed leadership.