New Zealand’s Maori’s Coronate New Queen After King’s Death

New Zealand’s ethnic Maori community crowned 27-year-old Nga Wai hono i te po as their new queen on Thursday. She was coroneted as the new monarch by Maori chiefs in New Zealand. She became the new Maori head after the death of her father King Kiingi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII. Nga Wai was chosen as Kuini in a formal ceremony held on the North Island by a council of the Indigenous Māori chiefs.

She became the second-ever Maori queen in the eight-dynasty reign of the Kingitanga movement to ascend the throne. Her father died a week back at the age of 69, following heart surgery.

The Maori monarchy was established back in 1858 to fight colonisation and protect Māori culture and land from intruders. The Maory monarchy is ceremonial and has little official authority.