Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki, a 27-year-old leader, has been crowned as the new queen of the Maori people in New Zealand, succeeding her late father, King Tuheitia, after his passing.
This event marks a significant moment for the Maori community, symbolizing both continuity and change as the young queen steps into a role deeply rooted in tradition yet resonant with modern relevance.
Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki’s ascension follows the emotional farewell to her father, King Tuheitia, who held the position of Maori monarch for 18 years before his recent passing.
The late king’s death brought together thousands of Maori for a week of mourning and ceremonial activities. The new queen’s coronation took place as part of these events, with traditional rites and rituals marking the transfer of leadership.
Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki is a unique figure in New Zealand’s Maori community. As a member of Generation Z, she represents a younger and more contemporary face of leadership. However, she is deeply rooted in Maori tradition, as signified by her moko kauae, the traditional face tattoo worn by Maori women to represent their identity and heritage.
The young queen’s ability to bridge the old and the new is a significant aspect of her leadership, and many see her as a symbol of renewal for the Maori people.
The new queen was selected by a council of 12 male elders, who chose her from among several potential candidates. Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki’s selection is particularly notable because the crown is not automatically inherited in Maori culture.
Despite having two older brothers, she was chosen to take on the role, following in the footsteps of her grandmother, Te Atairangikaahu, who was the first Maori queen until her death in 2006.
Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki has been involved in Maori cultural leadership for years, having risen to prominence as a teenager when she received her moko kauae alongside her mother and another relative in 2016. The ceremony took place to commemorate King Tuheitia’s 10th year on the throne.
Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki : Queen of Maori
The Maori of New Zealand named a new monarch on Thursday, selecting Nga Wai Hono i te Po as queen. The 27-year-old succeeds her father, Kiingi Tuheitia, who died last week after 18 years as king. https://t.co/cxtqdDqLEc pic.twitter.com/lvB6Ngrk1I
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 5, 2024
Since then, the young queen has continued to strengthen her connection to Maori culture and tradition. She has a master’s degree in Maori cultural studies from the University of Waikato, and she has taught kapa haka, a form of Maori performing arts, while attending university.
The coronation of Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki comes at a time of heightened tensions between the Maori people and New Zealand’s conservative government. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s government has been rolling back “race-based” policies, which were designed to address the systemic inequalities faced by the Maori community.
These policies include efforts to incorporate the Maori language into public services, as well as the establishment of a Maori health agency.
However, these initiatives have faced opposition from the current government, which has expressed its desire to review the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, the historic agreement between the British Crown and the Maori people that underpins Maori claims to sovereignty.
The Maori community has long struggled with systemic disadvantages in New Zealand, with higher rates of unemployment, poverty, and crime, as well as poorer health and education outcomes compared to the non-Maori population. These challenges are rooted in the historical injustices that followed the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
For many Maori, the current government’s moves to dismantle policies that support Maori rights and culture are seen as a direct threat to their well-being.
Despite these challenges, Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki has demonstrated a strong commitment to her people and their future. In a speech given alongside her father in January, she stood by his side as he called on the Maori community to resist the government’s actions by embracing their culture and identity.
“The best protest we can do right now is be Maori, be who we are, live our values,” King Tuheitia said at the time. Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki embodies this message, and her leadership is expected to reflect her deep understanding of both Maori tradition and the contemporary struggles facing her people.
One of the significant moments in Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki’s coronation was her anointment with sacred oils and the use of the same Bible that was used to crown the first Maori king. These symbolic gestures underscore the continuity of Maori leadership, even as a new generation takes the helm.
The new queen’s role is largely ceremonial, but she is seen as a unifying figure for the Maori people, who make up about 17 percent of New Zealand’s population.
Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki’s leadership will also be shaped by her personal experiences and her connection to the wider Maori community. She has been a part of important cultural and political events, such as her appointment to the Waitangi National Trust, a body that advises on the signing place of the Treaty of Waitangi.
In an interview with her university, Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki spoke about how deeply her Maori identity influences her daily life. “I walk around my house, and I see a taiaha,” she said, referring to a traditional Maori weapon.
“I go home to my parents’ house, and my little nephew is there, and he’s trying to do the haka. So it is just everywhere. I’ve been brought up in it, I am it.”
The coronation ceremony itself was a deeply moving event, attended by thousands of Maori who gathered along the banks of the Waikato River to witness the burial of King Tuheitia on Mount Taupiri, a sacred site for the Maori people.
Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki accompanied her father’s coffin as it was transported down the river by traditional warriors paddling a waka, or Maori canoe. As the procession passed, mourners performed the haka, a traditional Maori dance that is often used to express unity, strength, and respect.
While Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki has received praise from many quarters, including former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who described her as having “an incredible wealth” of cultural knowledge, her leadership is likely to face challenges in the coming years.
The conservative government’s stance on Maori issues, particularly its plan to review the Treaty of Waitangi, could create significant friction between the Maori community and the broader New Zealand government.
The libertarian ACT Party, a junior coalition partner, has gone as far as calling for a referendum on the treaty and questioning the democratic legitimacy of Maori co-governance arrangements.
However, Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki is expected to play a vital role in guiding the Maori community through these turbulent times. As a young leader with a deep understanding of her culture and the challenges her people face, she is uniquely positioned to advocate for the rights and well-being of the Maori people.
Her blend of modernity and tradition, symbolized by her moko kauae and her leadership in both cultural and political arenas, makes her a powerful figure in the ongoing struggle for Maori sovereignty and equality in New Zealand.
The crowning of Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki as the Maori queen is not just a ceremonial event; it is a moment of profound significance for the Maori people. As she steps into this role, she carries with her the hopes and aspirations of her community.
Her leadership will be critical in shaping the future of the Maori people, as they navigate the challenges of systemic inequality and the changing political landscape of New Zealand.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏