(ZENIT News / Wellington, 09.09.2024).- In a transcendental moment for Maori history, Nga Wai hono I te pō, youngest daughter of King Tůheitia, was anointed as new Queen and Leader of the Kingitanga, in New Zealand. Just 27 years old, Ngā has assumed the office of eighth Maori Sovereign.
Ngā Wai’s coronation marks a milestone not only in Maori political tradition, but also in the spiritual realm. Her link with the Catholic Church, established since her childhood, adds a special dimension to her leadership. The young Queen was Baptized and Confirmed in the Catholic faith in an act of profound symbolism, which united the different Maori tribes under one shared religious identity.
Ngā Wai’s Baptism, requested by her grandmother, deceased Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, was a gesture destined to unite the rivers of Waikato and Whanganui, both in a literal as well as in a spiritual sense. This ceremony took place in the Whanganui River during the Tira Hoe Waka, the annual canoe journey, and was carried out by Pihopa Tākuira Mariu SM, respected figure for his ancestry in Ngāti Tůwharetoa and his role in the Catholic community.
Ngā Wai’s Baptism was more than a religious rite; it represented a bridge between the Kingitanga Movement and the Catholic Church, strengthening inter-tribal bonds and between religions. This act was also a testimony of the constant efforts of the Maori leaders to promote peace and cohesion between different iwi and traditions in New Zealand.
Ngā Wai was raised for the role she assumes today. Her father, King Tůheitia, ensured that his youngest daughter would be completely prepared to lead the Kįngitanga Movement, a challenge that implies balancing ancestral traditions with Maori contemporary needs.
Shane Jones, a New Zealand parliamentarian, praised the appointment of Ngā Wai, highlighting that “she will be the face of renewal.” For Jones, the new Queen will not only continue the legacy of her predecessors, but will also embody the hopes of Maori youth, inspiring the new generations to keep alive their cultural roots in a world in constant change.
Ngā Wai’s Catholic formation is an essential pillar in her life and leadership. After her Baptism, her journey of faith continued with Confession, Confirmation and Communion, Sacraments that completed her immersion in the Catholic Church. Her Confirmation ceremony, held in Tůrangawaewae marae, was charged with significance. During the act, the sun emerged from the clouds in a moment considered by many as a tohu, a sign of divine blessing.
This spiritual aspect not only reinforces the connexion with the faith, but also reflects the inclusive character of her reign, which seeks to unite different beliefs and communities under a same purpose: the preservation and strengthening of Maori culture.
Who Are the Maori?
The Maori are a Polynesian ethnic group that arrived in New Zealand between the years 800 and 1300 from islands such as Rarotonga and Tongatapu. Although they are not natives of New Zealand, they are considered its first settlers.
Traditional Maori society is organized in tribes called iwi, made up of known extended families such as whanau. The Maori are known for their rich culture, which includes traditions such as the haka (a ceremonial dance),the hangi (a cooking method in an underground hoven), and the ta moko (traditional tattoos).
