Neuseeland Welcomes New Queen: Nga Wai Takes the Throne

Neuseeland Celebrates the Ascension of Queen Nga Wai

In a poignant celebration, Neuseeland welcomed its new queen, Nga Wai, after the death of Maori King Tuheitia Potatau te Wherowhero VII. A council of Maori leaders officiated her elevation during an elaborate ceremony attended by thousands on the North Island.

Ceremonial Throne and Cultural Significance

The 27-year-old queen received an enthusiastic reception as she took her place on a large wooden throne, surrounded by tattooed men bearing ceremonial spears, singing and cheering. A choir of women in black with Kava leaves braided into their hair added to the cultural richness of the event.

• Queen Nga Wai's Role: The queen's position symbolizes national unity and holds immense significance for the indigenous identity of Neuseeland.
• She is the eighth Maori monarch, following in the footsteps of her grandmother, Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, who reigned for four decades until 2006.

Tributes to the Late King

The ceremony coincided with the planned funeral of King Tuheitia, who passed away at the age of 69 shortly after heart surgery. For the past six days, his body had been displayed in a grand ceremonial building where tens of thousands, both Indigenous and Pakeha, paid their respects.

Neuseeland's population includes approximately 900,000 Maori, making up 17% of the country's demographics. The European arrival in the 17th century brought with it colonization and conflict, and the 1840 treaty between the British and Maori chiefs remains a foundational document in Neuseeland's history.