Tēnā koutou - hello everyone.

Did you know the first Māori Queen was crowned in May 1966?

Princess Piki, daughter of King Korokī, was chosen as the first Māori Queen during her father’s tangi, in accordance with Kīngitanga (the Māori King movement) protocol. She took her mother’s name, Te Atairangikaahu. 

Te Atairangikaahu became the Kīngitanga’s first ever female hereditary leader.

She was the sixth ever Māori monarch, and the longest-serving. She died in August 2006, shortly after celebrating her 40th jubilee as Queen.

Back in 1858, the first Māori King, Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, took office after tribes from around the country had discussed the idea of appointing a monarch. 

According to Aotearoa New Zealand history archives, rapid European population growth was putting pressure on Māori to sell land, and there was a sense that Māori were losing control of their own affairs. In the Waikato War of the 1860s the government of the day attempted to destroy the Māori King movement, which it saw as a threat to the authority of the British Crown.

However, the Kīngitanga has survived and remains an important expression of Māori unity today. Its importance in Aotearoa New Zealand society was demonstrated by the widespread outpouring of grief when Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu died.

Kia pai te rā. Have a great day, and a great Queen’s Birthday.

Check out te wiki o te reo Māori here.