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 WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - Tribal chiefs wearing wreaths of green leaves opened a traditional mourning period Wednesday for the revered queen of New Zealand's indigenous Maori.
Hundreds of people gathered for prayers for Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, who died Tuesday after a long illness at age 75, at her home village of Ngaruawahia on North Island. They were the first of thousands of people expected to pay their respects during a six-day farewell period, known as tangihanga, family spokeswoman Nanaia Mahuta said.
Funeral services were set for Monday at the Turangawaewae Marae, a special meeting place where the queen's body was lying in state.
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