Nga Wai Anointed as Māori Queen

Twenty-seven-year-old Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki has been anointed as the new Māori Queen, succeeding her father, King Tūheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, who recently passed away. This marks her as the second-ever female monarch in the eight-dynasty reign of New Zealand’s Kīngitanga movement, a role that holds significant cultural and symbolic importance despite having no legal authority. The coronation ceremony, known as Te Whakawahinga, took place amid thousands of mourners who also participated in the late King's elaborate funeral rites. The new queen, selected by a council of Māori chiefs, wore traditional attire and was ceremonially crowned with a sacred bible and oils. Her ascension signifies a generational shift and has been hailed as a symbol of renewal and cultural continuity for the Māori community. Despite her youth, Nga Wai has been groomed for leadership and has served on various boards aimed at strengthening Māori culture and language.