Election of the VIII Māori monarch
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The election of the VIII Māori monarch took place between 3 and 5 September 2024, following the death of incumbent King Tūheitia. In consultation with the affiliated iwi of the Kīngitanga and the kāhui ariki (the royal family), Tūheitia's privy council, the Tekau-mā-rua elected Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō, his youngest child and only daughter, to succeed him. As is custom, she was announced as Queen-elect at 10:00 a.m. on the last day of the tangi of her father at Tūrangawaewae marae in Ngāruawāhia. She was subsequently crowned. This was first Māori monarch election since 2006, when Tūheitia himself was elected to succeed his late mother Te Atairangikaahu.
Background and process
[edit]The kahui ariki, the Māori royal family, is usually defined as the descendants of King Tāwhiao.[1]
The process of electing the Māori monarch lies with the Tekau-mā-rua,[clarification needed] the privy council of the Māori monarch, who meet four times a year at Tūrangawaewae. Tūheitia first appointed his Tekau-mā-rua in 2014 from important Māori leaders, both male and female, from across the country. Appointing members from across New Zealand is a relatively new innovation; prior to 1989, all members of the Tekau-mā-rua were Tainui.[2]
The process is done in seclusion in consultation with the iwi who support the Kīngitanga and the monarch's family.[2] The monarch may also have a say before his or her death in who does succeed him or her after his or her death.[3] For example, Tūheitia himself was "shocked" to learn of his mother's endorsement of him, which occurred on her deathbed, after she reportedly changed her mind about his sister Heeni Katipa, who had long been singled out to succeed her.[4]
Election
[edit]After Tūheitia's death, the subject of his succession was tapu, allotting sufficient time to grieve him uninhibited by the question. On 3 September, the Tekau-mā-rua assembled and began deliberations.[5] The Puhi Ariki (daughter) of Tūheitia, Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō was widely expected to ascend to the throne.[6] Her two older brothers were not.[7] Aged 27, Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō is substantially younger than the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the world's youngest reigning monarch who is an official head of state and the interim President of Burkina Faso Ibrahim Traoré, the world's youngest head of state. She had been working on behalf of her father for several years, attending official engagements with him and on his behalf, while also taking care of the Kīngitanga royal archives, before her election.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "kāhui ariki". Te Aka Māori Dictionary. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ a b Rātana, Liam (3 September 2024). "How will the next Māori monarch be chosen?". The Spinoff. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ "From a truck driver to a unifier for Māori - Kīngi Tūheitia's legacy". NZ Herald. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ "Queen's final decision shocked Tuheitia". NZ Herald. 11 July 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ "Kiingitanga succession discussions begin". 1News. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ a b Rātana, Liam (5 September 2024). "A new monarch has been named. What's next for the Kīngitanga?". The Spinoff. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ Duff, Michelle (5 September 2024). "Māori queen Nga Wai Hono i te po Paki crowned in 'new dawn' for New Zealand". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
