In 1858, as a response to Britain’s colonization of New Zealand, the indigenous Maori in the country chose a monarch of their own. The queen, who was known as Te Ata, was the sixth to serve in the largely ceremonial, but highly respected, position.
Te Ata became queen in May 1966, when her father died. She served her people for 40 years “with quiet dignity, humility, humor and warmth,” said New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark. She helped raise the profile of the Maori by hosting foreign dignitaries who visited New Zealand, such as South African President Nelson Mandela and U.S. President Bill Clinton. In 1987, she was granted the Order of New Zealand, New Zealand’s highest civilian honor. Dame Te Ata died August 15 at home at age 75.