Historic shift: New Zealand crowns first female Māori monarch

An extremely significant event has occurred in New Zealand 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 Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII.

The selection of the queen has caused a stir among the Māori people because it represents a break from tradition, according to which the ruler is typically the eldest child, usually a man. As cultural advisor Karaitiana Taiuru noted, this is a clear "break from the traditional choice of leader among the Māori."

The new queen is the youngest child and the only daughter of King Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII, who passed away on Friday at the age of 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 Māori tribal elders, highlighting the important role of elders in making key 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 special day, the new queen was led to the throne by a group of men with bare, tattooed torsos carrying ceremonial lances. They were accompanied by a choir of women dressed in black, whose singing emphasised the significance of this historic moment.

Nga Wai hono i te po Paki wore a crown of leaves and a necklace made of whalebone - symbolising 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, a symbolic burial of the late king took place. 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. There, a group of men carried the coffin to the top, where the king joined his ancestors.

The new queen, like her predecessors, 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 the national identity of this native community. Their influence can also extend beyond cultural spheres, as they often engage in political debate 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, teaching children traditional Māori dances and songs, which underscores her strong attachment to her native culture. The new ruler now faces the challenge of not only representing her people but also preserving traditions in a dynamically changing world.

It is worth noting that the head of state in New Zealand remains King Charles III. The Māori people, who comprise about 17 per cent 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.