Aroha flowed in Huria Marae in Tauranga as a poukai was hosted on April 5 in honour of Te Arikinui Kuīni (The Great Queen) Nga wai hono i te po.

It is one of the first poukai at Huria Marae for the queen in that role since her father, King Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, died on August 30, 2024, former Ngāi Te Rangi iwi youth co-ordinator Josh Te Kani said.

“She provides fresh energy into the spaces that need it,” Te Kani said.

Former Ngāi Te Rangi iwi youth co-ordinator Josh Te Kani.

Nga wai hono I te po, age 27, can connect with Māori youth and encourage the next generation to step into leadership roles, he said.

“There’s been a bit of an underswell, with younger generations wanting supposed to be a part of something bigger.”

Nga wai hono i te po on the Huria Marae.

Poukai is an annual Kīngitanga (Māori King movement) tradition where the Māori monarch visits marae in the Waikato region and beyond for feasting, cultural performances and discussions on various issues.

Ngāi Tamarāwaho kaumātua Tamati Tata.

The tradition dates back to 1885, initiated by King Tāwhiao at Whatiwhatihoe, near Pirongia, to support the widowed, destitute and bereaved, Ngāi Tamarāwaho kaumātua Tamati Tata said.

Huria Marae was chosen for the poukai because of the connection with Maharaia Winiata, who was buried on the grounds, he said.

Maharaia Winata's headstone.

Winiata was a pioneering Māori leader, scholar, minister, educator and advocate for Māori advancement.

Born at Ngāhina pā near Rūātoki, he was dedicated to serving his people, Tata said.

Educated in Tauranga, he later became the first Māori to complete full academic training for the Methodist ministry and earned a PhD in anthropology from Edinburgh.

He died in 1960 at age 47.

More than 1000 people gathered in and around the marae grounds, Ngāti Ranginui chairman Charlie Rahiri said.

“The weather also cleared up."

Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe, speaker Ngairo Eruera.

The transition from Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII to Nga wai hono I te po has been inspirational, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe, speaker Ngairo Eruera said.

“She is bringing in new ideas and younger people,” Eruera said.

Mōwai Eruera and sibling Mārire Te Ripo Eruera.

The morning began with a karakia and raising the queen and marae flags to welcome the queen, Mōwai Eurera said.

"Nga wai hono i te po has served as a beacon of hope for countless young tangata whenua, inspiring people to further reconnect with their whakapapa," said Eurera.

“She has been a role model for our generation.”

Tainui kaumātua Tom Moana and Te Pāti Māori col-leader Rawiri Waititi at the poukai. Photo / Tom Eley

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said he was good friends with the former king and was looking forward to the future with the new queen.

“The poukai is a day of celebration and mana,” he said.