Kuini Nga wai hono i te po is crowned Photo: Supplied
There's belief Kuini Nga wai hono i te po will be a voice for rangatahi after being named as the Kiingitanga's new leader.
The 27-year-old was crowned the eighth Māori monarch after her father Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII died last week.
She is the second woman to hold the position. The first was her grandmother, Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu, who died in 2006.
Reo Māori student at Te Wānanga Takiura, Miro Harré, told Midday Report it was special to stand with te iwi Māori at Turangawaewae Marae yesterday when her appointment was announced.
Harre said there was symbolism around te mana o te rangatahi and te mana o te wahine for the future.
Wellington Central and Green Party MP Tamatha Paul said it was super exciting to see a young wahine Māori at the helm of te ao Māori.
She was thrilled that there would be a wahine in leadership that would help unify people in divisive times.
Alicia Dehar a kaihaka from kapa haka group Te Whare Karioi told Midday Report Kuini Nga wai hono i te po was a good suit for the role.
"As a rangatahi she'll be able to connect with our other rangatahi across the motu."
Miro Harré said social media has been a forum for the voice of te iwi Māori.
She said the fact that the Kuini is a rangatahi created to an opportunity to share te ao Māori with the world.
Harré said she was excited to see the contrast between the Kuini's leadership and other leaders both in New Zealand and around the world.
Paul said she the Kuini has demonstrated that she was committed and willing to lead.
"She is a source of inspiration for our people and to see her at such a young age ascend [to] a role with such responsibility and such weight to it is inspiring."
