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Download AudioThe small Tauranganui Marae on the banks of the Waikato River at Port Waikato was jammed yesterday as groups from throughout the Tainui confederation came out to support Te Arikinui Kuini Ngawai hono i te po as she undertook her first official engagement on the poukai circuit.
Waatea Digital reporter Kawe Roes says it starts a year of mourning for the Kiingi Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero.
He says she wore her father’s hat and coat and was accompanied by her mother, Makau Ariki Te Atawhai.
“For a lot of the people on the ground at Tauranganui, the beauty was catching up with whanau and friends form all over the place but we have also had firm messages from our kuia, mainly Aunty Mamae Takerei within Waikato, reminding us of our tikanga when we go into kaupapa like these – wear black, don’t come here to have a big harihari korero session, if you want that, take it way away from the paepae.
The feeling for the people on the ground is they are mourning the passing of the king but they are also enjoying the start of the new reign of Te Arikinui Kuini Ngawai hono i te po Potatau Te Wherowhero VIII,” he says.
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