Her Royal Highness, Te Arikinui Kuini Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō, the Māori Queen, received a traditional welcome at the Great Council of Chiefs Complex in Suva on July 9, 2025. The ceremony, organized by the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, involved the ceremonial presentation of a tabua (whale’s tooth), signifying the deep respect and ancestral connections between the Māori people of New Zealand and the Fijian chiefly hierarchy.
This visit is a landmark moment for indigenous diplomacy as the Māori Queen joins esteemed dignitaries and Pacific leaders on Lakeba Island for the official installation of Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara as the Turaga Tui Nayau, Sau ni Vanua ko Lau, and Tui Lau. In a reciprocal gesture, Māori representatives paid homage to Fijian traditions, fostering unity and mutual respect across the Pacific communities.
The Māori Queen expressed her appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to her and her delegation by Fiji’s President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. Her participation in this momentous occasion reinforces the importance of indigenous leadership and the strengthening cultural bonds between the Māori and iTaukei peoples.
Returning to a narrative featured in previous articles, the attendance of high-ranking dignitaries, such as the Tongan royal couple, King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u, amplifies the significance of this event and highlights the longstanding relationships rooted in shared ancestry and culture among Pacific nations. The collective anticipation and engagement surrounding the events underline a hopeful future filled with collaboration and a renewed sense of cultural identity across the region.
This royal engagement serves not only as a celebration of tradition but also as a reaffirmation of community strength and kinship among the diverse peoples of the Pacific Islands, signaling optimism for continued dialogue and partnerships that honor shared heritage and promote unity.
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