A year after the passing of her father, King Tuheitia, New Zealand’s Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuini Nga Wai hono i te po, delivered her first public speech, signaling a generational shift for Māori leadership.
Speaking at the annual Koroneihana festival at Tūrangawaewae Marae, the 28-year-old monarch reflected on her mourning period before outlining a new vision for her people.
Addressing thousands of attendees, including Pacific royalty and tribal leaders, she emphasized cultural pride, unity, and economic sovereignty.
Nga Wai announced plans for a Māori economic summit and an Indigenous-led investment fund, initiatives drawn from her father’s vision to strengthen self-reliance.
She urged her people to walk a new path, free from external obstacles, declaring that Māori identity must be lived daily and not confined to protest.
Her address comes as government policies affecting Māori language and programs have drawn criticism, adding weight to her call for renewed independence.
Analysts say the moment marked more than a ceremonial tradition—it was the start of a new era for the Kīngitanga.
Nga Wai, the second woman to hold the Māori throne after her grandmother Te Atairangikaahu, now faces the challenge of turning her words into action.
With her speech, she not only closed a year of mourning but also set the course for the future of Māori leadership in Aotearoa.