Nga Wai Hono i te Po Anointed as New Maori Queen

The Maori community in New Zealand has officially welcomed its new queen, Nga Wai Hono i te Po, who was anointed during a significant ceremony held on September 5, 2024.

This event took place a week after the passing of her father, King Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, who died at the age of 69 following heart surgery.

Nga Wai Hono i te Po, now the second Maori queen in history, was selected through a process involving tribal leaders from various iwi across New Zealand. Unlike a hereditary monarchy, the succession is determined by representatives.

The anointment ceremony, called Te Whakawahinga, gathered thousands of mourners at Tūrangawaewae Marae, the seat of the Kiingitanga. During the ritual, a historic bible was placed on Nga Wai Hono i te Po’s head, while sacred oils were applied by Archbishop Don Tamihere, symbolizing the transfer of sacredness, power, and spiritual essence.

After her anointment, the coffin of the late king was transported in a traditional canoe to Taupiri Mountain, which serves as the final resting place for Maori royalty.

The role of the Maori monarch is primarily ceremonial, rooted in a political institution established in the 1850s to unify Maori tribes amidst the challenges posed by British colonization.

In the current political climate, New Zealand faces significant issues regarding race relations and the treatment of the Maori community. The new queen’s ascension comes at a time when the right-leaning government has been criticized for regressing progress made in promoting the Maori language and supporting Indigenous rights.

Nga Wai Hono i te Po is educated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Waikato and a master’s degree focused on Tikanga Maori, the practices and customs of the Maori culture. She has actively participated in various boards, including those aimed at revitalizing the Maori language.