Ng? Wai hono i te p? was crowned as the eighth M?ori monarch in New Zealand following the death of her father, Kiingi Tuheitia P?tatau Te Wherowhero VII, at age 69. Chosen by a council of M?ori chiefs, the 27-year-old is only the second M?ori queen, the first being her grandmother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
The crowning ceremony occurred at T?rangawaewae Marae, a sacred communal place in New Zealand’s North Island. Ng? Wai hono i te p?, who holds a master’s degree in M?ori cultural studies, was blessed with the same Bible used to anoint the first M?ori king in 1858.
Kiingi Tuheitia, who led the Kiingitanga or M?ori king movement for 18 years, was buried on Mount Taupiri following an elaborate funeral procession. The funeral ceremony marked the end of a week of formal mourning. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon praised the late king as a leader committed to uniting the M?ori and non-M?ori peoples.
The new queen’s coronation symbolizes a generational shift within the M?ori monarchy, and many see her as a positive influence for younger M?ori amid political and social challenges in New Zealand.
Luis Apolo Staff Reporter junior/1727231202/1613367813
1. Who was crowned as the new M?ori queen in New Zealand?
2. Who was the first M?ori queen, and what is her relationship to the new queen?
3. Where did the crowning ceremony of the new M?ori queen take place?
4. What did New Zealand’s Prime Minister say about the late king?
1. Have you ever heard of other countries that have kings or queens? What do you think it would be like to be a monarch?
2. What traditions or ceremonies are important in your culture or family? How do you feel about them?
3. If you could meet a leader from another country, what questions would you ask them?
4. Why do you think it’s important to learn about other cultures and their leaders?
Ng? Wai hono i te p? was crowned as the eighth M?ori monarch in New Zealand following the death of her father, Kiingi Tuheitia P?tatau Te Wherowhero VII, at age 69. Chosen by a council of M?ori chiefs, the 27-year-old is only the second M?ori queen, the first being her grandmother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
