Thousands gathered at Tūrangawaewae Marae and beyond as Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po delivered her second Koroneihana address. Speaking in te reo Māori, she used her kauwhau to challenge her people to move forward, declaring that the mauri of kotahitanga now rests with everyone.
Thousands Gather at Tūrangawaewae Marae
From the Legacy of Raupatu to Rauora
The address centered on a profound conceptual shift for te ao Māori. Te Arikinui invoked the term Raupatu to capture the impact of colonisation and intergenerational trauma that has continued to trickle across te ao Māori. Against that history, she positioned Rauora as a symbol of wellbeing, health and prosperity.
Drawing directly on the words of her tūpuna Kiingi Tawhiao, she urged attendees to forge a new identity. “We are descendants of Raupatu. But we must also become Toa o te Rauora,” Te Arikinui stated, according to translations provided by the office of the Kiingitanga. Rauora, she explained, demands revival, strong whānau, thriving whenua and wai, and active leadership across technology, innovation, enterprise, science, energy and industries yet to be imagined.
Rejecting Reliance on Government Hands
While acknowledging that government still had responsibilities to Māori that must be honoured, the Māori Queen made it clear that the destiny of her people does not sit entirely in the hands of government. She challenged Māori to look past historical grievances and weigh carefully what legacy they intend to leave for those who follow.
Building Foundations for Future Generations
Te Arikinui called on her people to build their own whare, anchoring their efforts in our reo, our taiao, our hauora and our pā harakeke as foundational pillars for that future.
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