This morning, a press release was issued from the Kiingitanga announcing the schedule for the upcoming celebrations of the 1st anniversary of the Koroneihana of Te Arikinui Kuīni Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō.
The five-day celebrations will begin on September 2, 2025, at Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia, New Zealand.
Royals and High Chiefs throughout the Pacific are confirmed to attend the celebrations, including His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala of Tonga, Kaumaiti Nui Travel Tou Ariki, the High Chief of the House of Ariki (Cook Islands), His Royal Highness Ariki Teriihinoiatua Pomare (Tahiti), His Royal Highness Prince Quentin Kūhiō Kawānanakoa and his son, His Royal Highness Prince Riley Kawānanakoa (Hawai’i), and Ratu Tevita Lutunauga Kapaiwai Uluilakeba Mara, the High Chief of the Province of Lau (Fiji).
Te Arikinui Kuīni Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō was crowned the 8th Māori monarch after the death of her father, the late King Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII, on August 30, 2024.
Ms. Rukumoana Schaafhausen, a spokesperson for the Kiingitanga, noted that there is, “…great anticipation and excitement about the Koroneihana celebrations for Te Arikinui, who is the eighth monarch since the establishment of the Kiingitanga movement in 1858.”
Ms. Scaafhausen went on to say:
“Te Arikinui will celebrate the life and legacy of her late father and reaffirm his vision of Kotahitanga. Guided by the values inherited from her parents and her tuupuna, Te Arikinui is acutely aware of the challenges facing te iwi Māori in a rapidly changing world.
Empowering rangatahi, strengthening whānau resilience, and upholding Mana Motuhake are important aspirations for Te Arikinui.
As is custom, the first two days of Koroneihana will be dedicated to remembering loved ones who have died in the past year – ngaa kawe mate o Tainui waka and ngaa kawe mate o te motu.
Day Three, Thursday 4 September 2025 – will acknowledge the historical and enduring whanaungatanga connections between Kiingitanga and the Pacific nations.
Day Four, Friday 5 September 2025 – is Te Raa Koroneihana o Te Arikinui, the anniversary of her rising up one year ago. Te Arikinui will deliver her kauwhau to the motu – her first as Te Arikinui – at 12:30 pm.
Koroneihana highlights include:
The arrival of Te Ara Maurei, the jawbone of a bull sperm whale that died and was washed ashore in 2016.
Originally intended as a gift for the late Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu from the eight iwi of Te Tauihu, the kauae was gifted to Te Arikinui Kuīni Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō earlier this year. It has resided in Nelson since then to await the Koroneihana.
The formal handing over of the mauri of Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival from Te Kaahui Maunga to Waikato, who will host the next festival in 2027. Each afternoon session of Koroneihana will feature kapa haka performances from groups representing other iwi and Tainui waka, and entertainment.
A free outdoor concert starting at 3 P.M. on Friday and Saturday, 6 September 2025, will close out Koroneihana celebrations.”
The Royal Correspondent 