The Māori Queen has broken her year-long public silence following the death of her father Kiingi Tuheitia.
Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po addressed the crowd at Koroneihana and said Māori was not defined by having an enemy to overcome.
She was visibly emotional as she spoke of her father during the speech while launching two projects she said had been dear to him.
More details, including English captioned video, are to come...
Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po on Friday. Photo: Te Tari o te Kiingitanga
Performers at Kiingitanga day 4. Photo: Te Tari o te Kiingitanga
Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po gave her first royal speech. Photo: Te Tari o te Kiingitanga
Te Pāti Māori's Tāmaki Makaurau candidate Oriini Kaipara. Photo: Image courtesy of Te Tari o te Kiingitanga
The first Koroneihana of Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po at Turangawaewae Marae, 2025. Photo: Image courtesy of Te Tari o te Kiingitanga
Tamariki celebrate the Koroneihana of Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po Photo: Image courtesy of Te Tari o te Kiingitanga
Hundreds of Pacific leaders gathered at Turangawaewae Marae. Photo: Image courtesy of Te Tari o te Kiingitanga
Koroneihana celebrations for Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po. Photo: Image courtesy of Te Tari o te Kiingitanga
Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po and her brother Korotangi Paki at her first Koroneihana celebrations. Photo: Image courtesy of Te Tari o te Kiingitanga
The Pacific's presence at the Koroneihana has been a reminder of the mutual whakapapa, unity, and shared future across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa. Photo: Facebook / Kiingitanga
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