Maori Queen 35 years at helm

By CATHY ARONSON

The Maori Queen, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, stood proud and told the crowd celebrating the 35th anniversary of her coronation that a revival was stirring within the Kingitanga movement.

Dame Te Ata became the first Maori woman monarch on her coronation day on May 23, 1966, when she was 33.

Yesterday, after one of the most controversial years since her coronation, Dame Te Ata gave a message of forgiveness, unity and renewal to the hundreds gathered at Turangawaewae Marae, her official residence in Ngaruawahia.

She said her stepbrother, Sir Robert Mahuta, achieved great things for Kingitanga, the King Movement, although "the challenges were great and the tasks were not easy."

Sir Robert was principal negotiator for Tainui's $170 million Treaty of Waitangi settlement in 1995.

The High Court overruled Dame Te Ata's attempt to sack the tribe's ruling executive, Te Kaumaarua, after a faction led by chairman Kingi Porima removed Sir Robert from tribal commercial directorships last year.



She said internal problems should be dealt with by trust, custom and a sense of what was right rather than "a stranger" in the legal system.

"Our recent troubles are largely our own making. If we caused them, we can solve them. The time has come."

Dame Te Ata said she was not afraid to declare her position freely and look for the best resolution.

"Nothing will ever be so easy that there won't be things to overcome."

She said that while the challenges might seem daunting, her people were more educated than ever before and were boldly entering all aspects of life.

Dame Te Ata said Kingitanga was part of every moment, thought, action and breath in her life. "Beyond all troubles, our unifying force of Kingitanga keeps us secure and confident with a wave of renewal carrying us on."



The Queen watched as Turangawaewae waka travelled down the Waikato River in a traditional tribute of canoes that ended the formal proceedings of the celebration of her coronation.

The celebrations started on May 17 and finish on Sunday.

On Tuesday it was the sixth anniversary of Tainui's raupatu settlement in 1995.

The Governor-General, Dame Silvia Cartwright, visited as a representative of Queen Elizabeth II and New Zealand to congratulate Dame Te Ata on 35 years of leadership.

Other dignitaries came from Fiji, the Cook Islands, Hawaii, Niue and Tahiti.

Cultural performances, sport and music will take place this week.

* The Herald wanted to take photos of the celebrations but decided not to after the Turangawaewae Board of Trustees insisted on copyright to the material and other conditions.