Great and good honour Maori Queen's record reign

Maori celebrate the anniversary of Dame Te Ata's coronation every year, including her silver jubilee in 1991.

It was 1966, the pound was still legal tender, Keith Holyoake was Prime Minister and a 34-year-old mother of seven, Piki Paki (nee Mahuta), was crowned the first Maori Queen.

That was 40 years ago and today, record crowds are expected to descend on Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia to launch a week-long celebration of the anniversary of the coronation of the revered leader now known as Te Arikinui, Dame Te Atairangikaahu.

Marae spokesman Tom Moana predicted that up to 40,000 people would attend the festivities.

Dignitaries expected at the celebrations include the King of Tonga, Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright, Prime Minister Helen Clark, the paramount chief of Rarotonga, Pa Tepaeru Marie Ariki, and senior royalty from Samoa and Hawaii.

More than 200 workers from the Waikato, Taranaki and Wanganui will cater for the crowds.

Mr Moana said the celebrations marked the longest reign of a Maori monarch, exceeding the 34 years served by King Tawhiao (1860-1894).

He said that during Dame Te Ata's reign Maori had made substantial gains, achieving settlement on outstanding Treaty of Waitangi claims.

The Kingitanga movement was formed in 1856 as a way of protecting Maori land under the mantle of a King.

The first Maori King was Potatau Te Wherowhero, an ancestor of Dame Te Ata.

Waikato were the first iwi to reach a Treaty settlement with the Crown.

Mr Moana said the 74-year-old Queen was in good spirits and looking forward to the celebrations.

"Her health is marvellous considering the overall situation."

The matriarch receives regular dialysis treatment and has suffered health scares requiring hospital stays several times in the past two years.

Dame Te Ata is understood to be taking a low-key approach to conserve her energy for the week's heavy schedule.


TE ARIKINUI (THE QUEEN)

* Dame Te Atairangikaahu, born Piki Mahuta on July 23, 1931, at Waahi Marae, Huntly.

* Succeeded her father, King Koroki, on his death in May 1966.

* Crowned in May 1966, she is the longest-serving Maori monarch.

* Married to Whatumoana Paki, and has seven children.

* Made a dame in 1970 and a member of the Order of New Zealand in 1987.