Kia ora koutou,
Mourning one monarch, crowning another. Nau mai te Kuini Maaori ki to ao Kuini Nga Wai Hono I te Po.
I live in Taupiri under the gaze of Taupiri Maunga and grew up in Ngaaruawaahia home of the Kiingitanga and Tuurangawaewae Marae. I am also the local body elected member as Councillor for this area. The past month has impacted me tremendously with mixed emotions.
I attended the Koroneihana (Coronation) celebrations at Tuurangawaewae Marae and sat among politicians from both sides of the house - within close proximity to speakers from all
parties and responses from iwi, waiata, kai, aroha, emotion, challenges, thousands from around the motu. Within weeks the sad news of Kingii Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII’s passing and on the day that he is taken by waaka on the Waikato Awa to his final resting place on Taupiri Maunga, his daughter is announced as his successor. The papers said, “As one monarch is laid to rest among his ancestors, his successor is raised to the throne.”
The Kiingitanga advisory council, made up of chiefs from iwi around the motu, decided who would be the next monarch with discussions leading up to the final day of the tangihanga. This is called Whakawahinga or ‘raising up’ and occurs in front of their predecessor as the two are connected and cannot be separated. Continuous leadership and support from the
people. Impressive mahi with hospitality – manaakitanga. Waikato Tainui with help from others catered yet again for thousands. I acknowledge the people of the Waikato who came
together from marae, hapuu and whaanau across our district to volunteer.
I love that the choice for the next monarch is a woman based on merit – the second woman to lead the Kiingitanga. The first was the late Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu who
passed away nearly two decades ago. Kuini Nga wai hono I te po is a 27-year-old and taught kapa haka while attending the University of Waikato, has a master’s degree in Maaori cultural studies from there and she speaks fluent te reo. She sits on the University of Waikato
Council, the Waitangi National Trust, and often accompanied her father on official engagements. She is the youngest monarch since the coronation of Korokii, in 1933.
A quote from the Guardian: “Political, economic and social wellbeing for our people is at the heart of what she wants and in many ways, she is like her grandmother, who was adored by the nation.”
(Please note that the double vowel used in many words above is the Waikato dialect)
In this publication VP Issues Siobhan speaks of the 2024 BPW NZ CEDAW report that she has compiled – I thank her for all the work she put into this document on our behalf. It is very informative, and I urge you to read it as it summarises the work we do for women.
In closing I look forward to seeing many of you at the Leadership Forum on 5th October. If
you have not yet registered, please do so asap. Together we will continue our support of women and celebrate the past 85 years that BPW NZ has been active in this space.
I will continue to deliver my highest value through compelling influence.
Ngaa Mihi Nui
President Janet
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