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Piki Mahuta

Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu
Māori Queen, Queen of the Kingitanga
Te Atairangikaahu.jpg
Reign 23 May 1966 – 15 August 2006
Coronation 23 May 1966
Predecessor Korokī Te Rata Mahuta Tāwhiao Te Wherowhero
Successor Tuheitia Paki
Born (1931-07-23)23 July 1931
Waahi Marae, Huntly, New Zealand
Died 15 August 2006(2006-08-15) (aged 75)
Turangawaewae Marae, Ngaruawahia, New Zealand
Burial 21 August 2006
Mount Taupiri, New Zealand
Spouse Whatumoana Paki
Issue 7 children: Heeni Katipa (née Paki); Tomairangi Paki; Tuheitia Paki; Kiki Solomon (née Paki); Mihi Gabrielle Paki; Maharaia Paki; and Te Manawanui Clarkson (née Paki)
Full name
Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu
House Te Wherowhero
Father Korokī Te Rata Mahuta Tāwhiao Te Wherowhero
Mother Te Atairangikaahu Herangi
Full name
Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu

Dame Te Atairangikaahu ONZ DBE OStJ (23 July 1931 – 15 August 2006) was the Māori queen for 40 years, the longest reign of any Māori monarch. Her full name and title was Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. Her title Te Arikinui (meaning Paramount Chief) and name Te Atairangikaahu (meaning the hawk of the morning sky) were bestowed when she became monarch; previously she was known as Princess Piki Mahuta and, after marriage, Princess Piki Paki.

She was born within the marriage of Korokī Mahuta and Te Atairangikaahu Hērangi; Koroki Mahuta fathered older daughters, Tuura the younger of two, both by Tepaia an earlier relationship. Te Atairangikaahu had adopted siblings including Sir Robert Mahuta, whose daughter Nanaia Mahuta is a member of Parliament. She was a descendant of the first Māori king, Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, and succeeded, King Korokī, becoming queen the day Korokī was buried. She attended Rakaumanga Primary School and Waikato Diocesan School for Girls.

In 1952, she married Whatumoana Paki, whose father was from Waikato tribe Ngati Whawhakia and mother from the northern tribe of Te Aupōuri. They had seven children: Tuheitia Paki, Heeni Katipa (née Paki), Tomairangi Paki, Kiki Solomon (née Paki), Mihi Gabrielle Paki, Maharaia Paki, and Te Manawanui Clarkson (née Paki).

In the New Year Honours 1970 Te Atairangikaahu was the first Māori to be appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, "for outstanding services to the Māori people". On 6 February 1987, Te Atairangikaahu was the first appointee to the Order of New Zealand. and her badge of the order bears the number 1. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from Waikato University in 1973, and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Victoria University in 1999. In 1986 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of St John.


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