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Māori Queen holds first meeting with British monarch since coronation
Te Arikinui Kuini Ngā Wai Hono i te Po, New Zealand's Māori Queen, met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on Friday, marking her first official encounter with the British sovereign since ascending to the throne in 2024.
Centuries-old ties revisited
The visit underscores nearly two centuries of relations between New Zealand's Indigenous peoples and the British Crown, a bond formalized in the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, a cornerstone of the nation's constitutional framework.
Emotional exchanges and shared reflections
A spokesperson for the Māori Queen revealed the pair discussed the late Queen Elizabeth II's passing in what was described as a "heartfelt" conversation. The dialogue also focused on deepening the partnership between their respective institutions.
Earlier engagements at Windsor Castle
Earlier in the week, Te Arikinui was received by Prince William at Windsor Castle. The Prince of Wales later shared on Instagram that it had been "a pleasure" to welcome her, without elaborating further.
Global issues and Indigenous leadership
Following the meeting with Prince William, the Kīngitanga-the governing body of the Māori monarchy-issued a statement outlining the Queen's advocacy for Indigenous knowledge and intergenerational stewardship as tools to address pressing environmental and social crises worldwide.
"Te Arikinui affirmed her belief in the power of Indigenous knowledge and intergenerational stewardship to help solve the world's environmental and social challenges."
Kīngitanga statement
Legacy of the Māori monarchy
Te Arikinui Ngā Wai Hono i te Po was crowned in 2024 following the death of her father, Kiingi Tuheitia, becoming only the second Māori Queen in history. Her grandmother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, was the first to hold the title.
The Māori monarchy traces its origins to the 19th century, when Māori tribes established a unifying leadership modeled after European monarchies. The role was created to resist land confiscations by British colonizers and safeguard Māori culture, though it remains largely ceremonial and symbolic.
