Māori Queen Becomes Second Female to Be Crowned in Historic Ceremony as Her Father Is Laid to Rest

Mar. 15, 2025

Ngā Wai hono i te pō.Photo:HANDOUT/KIINGITANGA/AFP via Getty

HANDOUT/KIINGITANGA/AFP via Getty

New Zealand’s Māori chiefs have a new Queen.

On Thursday, Sept. 5, Kiingi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII — who reigned as the Māori King from 2006 — was laid to rest after he died on Aug. 30 at the age of 69, per theBBC. His death came just days after he celebrated the 18th anniversary of his coronation on Aug. 21.

His 27-year-old daughter Ngā Wai hono i te pō has now become the second Māori Queen, and the eighth monarch of the country’s indigenous Māori chiefs. She was crowned in a special ceremony in the North Island, according to the outlet.

Ngā Wai hono i te pō.Phil Walter/Getty

Phil Walter/Getty

The new Queen’s grandmother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, was the first female queen, and reigned for 40 years; the longest of any Māori monarch.

The first Māori king, Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, was anointed in 1858, and Ngā Wai hono i te pō was blessed with the same Bible used during his ceremony, the BBC reported.

She sat in front of her late father’s coffin while wearing a wreath and cloak amid prayers and chants ahead of his burial, the outlet added. The late monarch has been late to rest on Mount Taupiri; a hill that is sacred to the Māori people.

Per theNew Zealand HeraldandNBC News, hundreds of people watched as the flotilla of waka carried the late monarch’s coffin along the Waikato River before taking him to his final resting place.

According to theAssociated Press, Kiingi Tuheitia died in hospital following heart surgery.

Ngā Wai hono i te pō.DJ MILLS/AFP via Getty

DJ MILLS/AFP via Getty

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

“My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the death of Kiingi Tuheitia,” the message began. “I had the greatest pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades. He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Māori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion.”

Kiingi Tuheitia and King Charles.HAGEN HOPKINS/POOL/AFP via Getty

HAGEN HOPKINS/POOL/AFP via Getty

“I remember with immense fondness meeting Kiingi Tuheitia many times, including when Her Majesty and I were hosted so warmly and graciously at the Tuurangawaewae Marae in 2015, and then again during our meeting at Buckingham Palace last year. His death is a particular shock in view of the fact that I had only very recently spoken to Kiingi on the telephone at the beginning of August,” the King added.

“Kua hinga te tōtara i Te Waonui a Tāne. (A mighty Totora tree has fallen.),” the statement continued.

“My wife and I extend our deepest condolences to Kiingi Tuheitia’s whaanau and friends and all those who will mourn his loss. Our special thoughts and prayers will be with you at this most difficult and heartbreaking of times,” the King, 75, concluded, signing the tribute “Charles R.”

source: people.com