27-year-old Nga Wai hono i te po Paki has been anointed as the new Maori queen of New Zealand, following the death of her father, King Tuheitia. Her selection was seen as a symbol of change and a move towards younger leadership in the Indigenous community. She was chosen by a council of chiefs and ceremonially placed on the throne in front of thousands during the funeral of her father. Nga Wai, who holds a Master of Arts in Tikanga Maori, is the second woman to hold the position of Maori monarch.
The Maori King movement, founded in 1858, aims to unite New Zealand’s tribes under a single sovereign in the face of British colonization. Maori citizens face higher rates of unemployment, poverty, and health issues compared to other New Zealanders, with a seven-year lower life expectancy. The Maori monarch serves as a symbol of Maori identity and kinship, with significant cultural importance but no legal status.
Queen Nga Wai is the eighth Maori monarch and has received a traditional Maori chin tattoo to mark the 10th anniversary of her father’s coronation. Her leadership comes at a time of great societal changes, including advancements in technology and environmental challenges. Maori cultural adviser Karaitiana Taiuru heralded her appointment as a privilege and expressed the need for younger leadership to guide the Maori community in the modern world. The new queen’s ascension marks a new chapter in Maori leadership and unity.
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