Te Arikinui Kuīni (The Great Queen) Nga wai hono i te po is welcomed on to Huria Marae. Photo / Tom Eley
Te Arikinui Kuīni (The Great Queen) Nga wai hono i te po is welcomed on to Huria Marae. Photo / Tom Eley
Māori Queen Nga wai hono i te po was welcomed on to Huria Marae in Tauranga in a tradition that dates back to 1885, initiated by King Tāwhiao at Whatiwhatihoe, near Pirongia.
The Queen, 27, is inspiring Māori youth to step into leadership roles.
More than 1000 people attended, celebrating the transition from Kingi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII.
Aroha flowed at Tauranga’s Huria Marae as a poukai was hosted yesterday in honour of Māori Queen Nga wai hono i te po.
The poukai at Huria Marae was one of the first for Te Arikinui Kuīni (the Great Queen) since her father Kingi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VIIdied on August 30 last year.
Former Ngāi Te Rangi iwi youth co-ordinator Josh Te Kani said Nga wai hono I te po, 27, can connect with Māori youth and encourage the next generation to step into leadership roles.
Former Ngāi Te Rangi iwi youth co-ordinator Josh Te Kani. Photo / Tom Eley
“She provides fresh energy into the spaces that need it.”
Te Kani said there had been an undercurrent of younger generations wanting to be part of something bigger.
Nga wai hono i te po on the Huria Marae. Photo / Tom Eley
Poukai is an annual Kīngitanga (Māori King movement) tradition where the Māori monarch visits marae in the Waikato region and beyond for feasting, cultural performances and discussions on various issues.
Ngāi Tamarāwaho kaumātua Tamati Tata. Photo / Tom Eley
Ngāi Tamarāwaho kaumātua Tamati Tata said the tradition dates back to 1885 and was initiated by King Tāwhiao at Whatiwhatihoe, near Pirongia, to support the widowed, destitute and bereaved.
Huria Marae was chosen for the poukai because of the connection with Maharaia Winiata, who was buried on the grounds, he said.
Winiata was a pioneering Māori leader, scholar, minister, educator and advocate for Māori advancement.
Born at Ngāhina pā near Rūātoki, Tata said, he was dedicated to serving his people.
Educated in Tauranga, Winiata later became the first Māori to complete full academic training for the Methodist ministry and earned a PhD in anthropology from Edinburgh, Tata said.
Winiata died in 1960, aged 47.
Ngāti Ranginui chairman Charlie Rahiri said more than 1000 people gathered in and around the marae grounds on Saturday.
Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe speaker Ngairo Eruera said the transition from Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII to Nga wai hono I te po has been inspirational.
“She is bringing in new ideas and younger people.”
Mōwai Eruera and sibling Mārire Te Ripo Eruera.
Nga wai hono i te po has served as a beacon of hope for countless young tangata whenua, inspiring people to further reconnect with their whakapapa, Eruera said.
“She has been a role model for our generation.”
Tainui kaumātua Tom Moana (left) and Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi at the poukai. Photo / Tom Eley
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said he was good friends with the former King and was looking forward to the future with the new Queen.
