HAMILTON, New Zealand, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- A weeklong period of mourning has been declared in New Zealand for Maori Queen Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu who died at age 75.
Te Atairangikaahu, who reigned for 40 years as the sixth holder of the Maori Kingship established in 1858, died Tuesday at a hospital near Hamilton after being on dialysis for several months, reports Radio New Zealand.
Te Atairangikaahu's body will lie in state for a week at Turangawaewae, the headquarters of her Kingitanga movement, in New Zealand's North Island. She will be buried with her ancestors on the sacred mountain of Taupiri, says the report. Her successor is expected to be announced next week.
In her tribute, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said Te Atairangikaahu was a great leader for Maoridom who used her power wisely. The queen was known for her work in promoting the Maori Women's Welfare League.
She was educated at Waikato Diocesan School and was a shop assistant in Hamilton before marrying farmer Whatumoana Paki. The couple had seven children.
