New era for Māori throne: Young queen ascends in historic shift

This significant event has been pivotal for the Māori community. The new queen of this indigenous group is 27-year-old Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki, daughter of the recently deceased King Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII.

The selection of the queen caused a stir among the Māori people because it represented a break from tradition, wherein the ruler is typically the eldest child, usually a man. As cultural advisor Karaitiana Taiuru noted, this is a clear "break from traditional Maori leadership appointments which tend to succeed to the eldest child, usually a male."

The new queen is the youngest child and the only daughter of King Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, who passed away on Friday at 69. The king's death occurred just a few days after the 18th anniversary of his accession to the throne. Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki was chosen by the Māori tribal elders, highlighting the significant role of elders in making critical social and political decisions in this culture.

The coronation ceremony took place on the North Island in the presence of thousands of people. On this particular day, a group of men with bare, tattooed torsos carrying ceremonial lances led the new queen to the throne. They were accompanied by a choir of women dressed in black, whose singing emphasized the significance of this historic moment.

Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki wore a crown of leaves and a necklace made of whalebone – symbolizing the deep connection of the Māori people to nature and their traditional beliefs. The queen had previously expressed her commitment to Māori traditions – in 2016, she got a chin tattoo to mark the 10th anniversary of her father's coronation.

Alongside the coronation ceremony, the late king was symbolically buried. His body was transported by a flotilla of four traditional Māori war canoes, called "waka," along the Waikato River to the foot of the sacred Māori mountain Taupiri. A group of men carried the coffin to the top, where the king joined his ancestors.

Like her predecessors, the new queen does not hold formal political power. The role of the Māori king or queen is primarily ceremonial, but it carries immense symbolic and cultural significance. Māori monarchs serve as representatives of this native community's national identity. Their influence can also extend beyond cultural spheres as they often engage in political debates on issues important to the Māori people.

Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki is well-educated; she studied the Māori language and customary law at the University of Waikato. She also supports the younger generation by teaching children traditional Māori dances and songs, highlighting her strong attachment to her native culture. The new ruler now faces the challenge of representing her people and preserving traditions in a dynamically changing world.

It is worth noting that the head of state in New Zealand remains the British King Charles III. The Māori people, who make up about 17 percent of the country's population, continue to cultivate their distinct identity, and the role of their queen will be crucial in preserving and promoting this identity in the years to come.