Wellington, September 4, 2025. – The Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to New Zealand, Luis Ernesto Morejón Rodríguez, took part, together with the diplomatic corps accredited in the country, in the solemn coronation ceremony of the new Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuīni Nga wai hono i te pō, held at Tūrangawaewae Marae, the central seat of the Kiingitanga.
The accession to the throne of the young sovereign, the second woman to lead the movement and the eighth person to occupy the position since its founding in 1858, represents an event of profound symbolism for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Her coronation not only ensures the continuity of ancestral tradition and the strengthening of the Māori people’s cultural identity, but also conveys a message of unity, generational renewal, and commitment to the preservation of their language and values.
This milestone holds great significance for New Zealand society as a whole, reaffirming principles of inclusion, recognition, and respect for diversity that characterize the nation.