Māori - The indigenous habitants of New Zealand

Population of Māori as of December 2022: 891,600 

Māori culture is an essential part of life in New Zealand. For millennia, Māori have been the indigenous people of Aotearoa (New Zealand). They arrived here from the Polynesian homeland of Hawaiki over 1,000 years ago in the 13th century.  Although widely mentioned, Hawaiki can not be found on a map, it is believed Māori came from an island or group of islands in Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean. The first Māori to reach these lands was the great explorer Kupe. Using the stars and ocean currents as his navigational guides, the trusted navigator ventured across the Pacific on his voyaging canoe. There are distinct similarities between the Māori language and culture and others of Polynesia including Hawaii, Tahiti and the Cook Islands.

 

Māori were expert hunters, gatherers and growers. Before the arrival of metal tools, the people used natural resources to make tools for hunting, fishing, eeling, and cultivating crops. They hunted native birds with a range of ingenious traps and snares. Māori cultivated land and introduced vegetables from Polynesia, including sweet potato and often cooked hāngi (an earth oven). They also ate roots, berries and native vegetables. 

To protect themselves from being attacked by others, Māori would construct pā (fortified village). The villages were cleverly constructed with a series of stockades and trenches protecting the inhabitants from intruders, which were built in strategic locations. Many historic pā sites can even be found throughout the country today. 

 

Māori warriors were strong and fearless. They were able to skillfully wield a variety of traditional weapons, including the spear-like Taiaha and club-like Mere. The warriors frequently performed Haka, the world-famous Māori war dance or challenge. Haka are usually performed in a group and represent a display of a tribe's strength, pride and unity. Modern examples of haka occasions include birthdays, weddings, funerals, and other celebratory events. Actions include the stomping of the foot and rhythmic body slapping to accompany a loud chant. And in some cases, by fierce facial expressions, such as bulging eyes and the sticking out of the tongue, meant to intimidate the enemy. The words of a haka often describe events in the tribe's history and their ancestors. 

(Scan the QR code to see an accurate demonstration of the Haka dance, video recorded by Katrin Mäekivi)

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An integral part of Māori culture is their carving and tattoo art. They have a rich tradition of using natural materials to create beautiful works of art. Māori arts celebrate the past and they continue to evolve through fresh inspiration and new materials.

Māori traditional culture is an essential part of New Zealand’s national identity. With its rich heritage and traditional practices, the culture continues to captivate and inspire people from around the world.

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