Nga Wai Hono i te Po has been anointed as the new Maori Queen to replace her father, King Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, who recently passed away. The ceremony took place at Te Whakawahinga in front of thousands of people gathered for the funeral of King Tuheitia. The new queen was not crowned but had a bible placed on her head and was anointed by Archbishop Don Tamihere using sacred oils. The King’s coffin was then taken to the Waikato River and paddled in a traditional Maori canoe to Taupiri Mountain for burial. This succession comes at a time when New Zealand is facing significant challenges in race relations, making the role of the Maori Queen even more crucial. The new queen will be tasked with upholding the traditions and values of the Maori culture and leading her people through these challenging times. Thousands gathered at the meeting place of the King movement to pay their respects to the late King and witness the anointment of his daughter as the new queen. The ceremony and burial were conducted in accordance with traditional Maori customs and rituals, honoring the legacy of the royal family and their significance within the Maori community.
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