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Te Atairangikaahu will be
honoured by probably the biggest tangi in our history, on the
Turangawaewae marae. For the first two days,
only her whanau and those closest to her will be allowed to enter the
marae. But from Thursday on, all those people who wish to pay their
respects will come to say goodbye.
All the people coming to
the tangi will go through the usual karanga (call of welcome) and mihi
(greeting), and they will be able to greet, and respect and farewell Te
Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu as she lies on the marae. She will not be left
alone, but be surrounded by those who love her. The tangi will last until
next Monday, and at the end of it, a new Maori King or Queen will be
chosen.
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On Monday, Dame Te Atairangikaahu will
be taken by waka down the Waikato River. Then she will be carried by
her people to the top of Taupiri mountain to be buried. Forty years
ago, King Koroki, Dame Te Ata's father, was buried in the same place.
This photo shows his body being carried up the mountain. |
| This photo shows some of the crowds of people who are making their way to Turangawaewae to pay their respects to the Maori queen. Tens of thousands of people are expected to come over the next few days. |  |