Maori History

Maori history tells of the demi-god Maui hauling up from the ocean Te Ika a Maui, the fish of Maui, New Zealand’s North Island. His waka, or canoe, is today the South Island, and Stewart Island his anchor. Travelling by waka from their mythical homeland Hawaiki, the Maori soon established themselves as the dominant inhabitants of New Zealand, and their vast oral history is woven seamlessly into the land. The European influx introduced foreign diseases, and the Maori population dropped from 100,000 at the time of the Treaty of Waitangi to just 43,113 in 1896. Although today Maori constitute less than 10% of the population, their culture is very much alive.

Maori Culture

New Zealanders are proud of their Maori roots. The famous haka offers an intriguing sample of this Pacific island heritage, and increasingly travellers are keen to learn more. Maori song, dance and mythology are prevalent, towns are adorned with carvings and rooms are dressed in flax weavings. ‘Kiwiisms’ are scattered through everyday conversation, a hybrid of the two national languages, Maori and English, with words such as kia ora (hello) commonplace in the Kiwi vernacular. Most physical locations have Maori names with literal translations: Waimakariri River (Wai = water, Makariri = cold), Mount Maunganui (Maunga = Mountain, Nui = Large). The unmistakable Maori culture is omnipresent.

In recent years, many iwi (tribes) and individual Maori whanau (extended families) have opened up their spiritual heritage to To Pakeha (non-Maori) visitors who seek a more fulfilling insight into their culture. There are a number of tours which will provide an opportunity for you, no matter how brief your stay, to perhaps become tangata whenua or ‘people of the land’.

He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata!
What is the most important thing in the world?
The people, the people, the people!

This is the prevalent Maori philosophy, and to keep their culture alive they recognise that it must be made accessible.