Traditional ceremony based on first coronation nearly 150 years ago

Tradition and history will dominate this morning's ceremony, launched by a pre-dawn karakia and culminating with a solemn ascent of Taupiri mountain.

In between there will be the emotional service to farewell a revered monarch, followed closely by a coronation steeped in tradition to install her successor.

For the new king or queen there will be the dual burden, farewelling a mother, Te Arikinui Dame Atairangikaahu, and accepting a role tasked with unifying Tainui and Maoridom.

The decision of who will succeed Dame Te Ata, Maoridom's longest serving and first female monarch, continued late last night.

This morning thousands are expected to line the banks of the Waikato River to mark the final journey of Dame Te Ata, who will travel by waka from Ngaruawahia to Taupiri mountain where she will be buried beside her ancestors.

Following the funeral of Dame Te Ata, and before her waka departs, the ceremony first performed almost 150 years earlier begins.

Tainui cultural expert Wiremu Puke said the first formality for the coronation is the raising of the Kingitanga flag at 7am.

The carved throne will by then have been placed at the front of the meeting house.

Then an announcement to call a select group of kaumatua, all cultural leaders from throughout the country, many with descendant links to the first such gathering, into the main meeting house, Mahinaarangi, for discussions is made.

Tumu te Heuheu, paramount chief of Tuwharetoa, will lead the group.

Mr te Heuheu is a direct descendent of Iwakau te Heuheu Tuukino, a powerful iwi leader who declined to be king, and instead urged Waikato paramount chief Te Wherowhero to reconsider and accept the title.

King Potatau (Te Wherowhero), great-great-great-grandfather of Dame Te Ata, eventually accepted and was crowned at Ngaruawahia in 1858. From this first ceremony much of today's coronation is drawn. Mr te Heuheu will co-ordinate the discussions after a mihimihi (prayer) and will push for consensus.

The merits of two candidates, put forward by Tainui kaumatua and members of the kahui ariki (royal family), will be debated in a closed meeting.

When a decision on the new king or queen is made, the selection of a new name is then discussed. A new title will also be chosen to precede the successor's name.

Following selection, the whakawaahi (the raising-up of the new king or queen) ceremony begins.

The appointment will first be announced by Mr te Heuheu to kaumatua of Waikato-Tainui.

Then Anaru Tamihana, descendent of the first king maker, Wiremu Tamihana, will conduct the coronation, assisted by Mr te Heuheu.

Inside the meeting house, he will recite a 20-minute sermon from scripture while holding a Bible, the same one used by his ancestor. The new monarch will then walk outside to Turangawaewae's main entrance and a powhiri will be performed.

A traditional cloak (korowai) of King Tawhiao will be worn by the new king or queen. It will be made of kiwi feathers (if the successor is male) or flax (if the successor is female).

The new monarch will then be ushered in to take the throne, which is next to the coffin.