New Māori Queen appointed after the passing of the King

After watching her father reign as the Māori King for 18 years, Nga wai hono i te po was appointed as the new Māori Queen on September 5th.  

That same day, Kiingi Tuheitia was laid to rest alongside his mother Dame Te Atairangikaahu and previous Māori kings on the sacred Taupiri Mountain.  

Massive Te Ao Māori editor Aaria Hunia celebrates with a heavy heart and gives condolences to the anointed Queen Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō. 

She felt shameful that she did not recognize all that Kiingi Tūheitia did to carve a future for Māori in his reign.  

However, since his passing Hunia learned that the king fought for Māori every day of his reign. 

“I know that his daughter will carry on his legacy, and the legacy of all that came before us.” 

Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō is the eighth Māori monarch in New Zealand, and only the second Māori Queen – the first was her grandmother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. 

Hunia said, “We should all fight to follow the example her father set, and that I'm sure she will soon prove to lead.” 

 “In this moment, I look to both the past and the future for reasons for Māori to fight.” 

Tekau maa-rua (the 12) is the council made up of representatives from iwi across the motu. The council, along with other rangatira and leaders, made the final decision.  

The Queen’s focus now turns to how she can continue her father’s call for Māori across the motu to unite.