This morning, Te Arikinui Kuīni Nga Wai Hono i te Po was named the Kuīni and led on to the throne after the death of her father, Kīngi Tuheitia on Friday last week.
In a statement, Tekau-maa-rua me ngaa Rangatira o te motu said: “Rangatira from across the motu have today chosen Nga wai hono i te po as their Queen, the eighth Maaori monarch and successor to Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII.”
The anointment ceremony, of the new Māori monarch, known as Te Whakawahinga took place ahead of the final funeral service for Kīngi Tuheitia. Rituals of the ceremony were telecast live by TVNZ, and other channels.
Instead of the the crown, a Bible was placed over their head by Te Tumuaki o Te Kiingitanga [the Kingmaker].
“The new monarch was raised up in a ceremony known as Te Whakawahinga, in front of thousands of people gathered for the tangihanga of Kiingi Tuheitia.
“After the Karakia Whakawahinga, Tumuaki Hone Taamihana placed a bible on the head of Nga wai hono i te po, using the same bible that Tumuaki Wiremu Taamihana used to raise up the first Maaori King Pootatau Te Wherowhero in 1858.
“We follow the tikanga of our ancestors who created the Kiingitanga to unify and uplift our people and we have chosen Nga wai hono i te po as our new monarch.”
