New Zealand's first wāhine Māori Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro, was formally welcomed to Waitangi Treaty Grounds on May 13, 2022. Kiro is a former Children's Commissioner and a descendant of Te Ruki Kawiti, who was the last northern chief to sign the Treaty — on May 13, 1840.
![Little warrior Anthony Brown, 4, of Matawaia, practises for the haka pōwhiri with Ngā Tira Taua o Te Taitokerau. Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/4DAOYWXFILCHHO2RN2M6PDZRAI.jpg?auth=b5da48d0bb0b230876d523067438b6f782da1fa5339e600fa0858f60625c6d1e&width=16&height=28&quality=70&smart=true)
![Members of Ngā Tira Taua o Te Taitokerau perform a haka pōwhiri as the Governor-General arrives. Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/GT7N5QOKUWZGDUUGLEITB44AXE.jpg?auth=5d323399ed71db9de0639f5aaf87988127f806c903be6e9f7edf35195b966330&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
![Te Kauri McPherson lays down a challenge for the Governor-General's party. Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/4DPDQMABQHIM6F6UYBKSNLDPZI.jpg?auth=36b8644bcef2de6580b8f226d1db684ad8e97920a11b9d7fb9e9db34fa90e71c&width=16&height=10&quality=70&smart=true)
![The Governor-General's party approaches Te Whare Rūnanga (the carved meeting house). Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/UHNXSIJ536BSB4VRUDEECFIMRA.jpg?auth=e2cdd44fb5b54f9d0c51d8dda0e80374f87cbe73118f77cd0b8276f5ebb8c90a&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)