Nga Wai hono i te po Paki has been named as the new Maori Queen

The daughter of Kingi Tuheitia will succeed her father - who's being laid to rest today at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia.

Tuheitia will be taken down Waikato River on four waka - then carried up Taupiri mountain, for burial.

The new queen is the second woman to take up the crown - after her grandmother - and the eighth Maori monarch.

Our newsroom's Cheree Kinnear is there, and says there's a big feeling of celebration.

She says it's a beautiful mood, with so many people gathered for such a special day.