The cultures of the Pacific islands are probably the most unknown and misunderstood.................

Maori Culture

Maori History

The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand. They are Polynesian and make up 15 percent of the country's population. Te Reo Maori is their native language which is related to Tahitian and Hawaiian. It is believed that the Maori migrated from somewhere in Polynesia in canoes around the 9th century to 13th century AD.

Dutch navigator Abel Tasman was the first European to encounter the Maori. Four members of his crew were killed in a bloody encounter in 1642. In 1769 British explorer James Cook established friendly relations with some Maori. By 1800, visits by European ships to New Zealand were frequent which eventually led to disease which inflicted a heavy toll on the Maori.

A greater threat were wars including the Musket Wars which raged between 1807–1842. These wars included about 500 battles where Maori tribes fought each other resulting in heavy tolls on each tribe including the Moriori of the Chatham Islands. After the Musket Wars there was a period of relative peace until 1845 when the New Zealand Wars broke out over land disputes which lasted till 1872. These wars were initially fought between British troops and Māori warriors followed by a New Zealand government military force, including local militia, rifle volunteer groups, and Forest Rangers. After these wars and disease, the Maori population dropped to a low of about 100,000 persons.

In 1840 representatives of Britain and Maori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi. This treaty established British rule of New Zealand and granted the Maori, British citizenship, while also recognising Maori land rights. Today, some of the treaty's provisions are disputed, and there is an ongoing effort from the New Zealand Government to recompense Maori for land that was illegally confiscated.

The present Maori population is around 600,000 and they live in all parts of New Zealand, but predominately in the North Island where the climate is warmer.

Maori Origins

There are a number of theories about the origins of the Maori. Their own legends says that the Maori came from "Hawaiki", the legendary homeland. Some speculate that the island of Hawaiki could be near Hawaii. The most accepted theory suggests that the Maori migrated to New Zealand over a long period of time. Originating in China, then on to Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Melanesia, Fiji, Samoa, the Marquesas, then south-west to Tahiti, the Cook Islands, and finally arriving in Aotearoa (New Zealand) about 1000 years ago

When the Maori arrived in Aotearoa they were confronted with a land quite different to tropical Polynesia. New Zealand was not only colder, but also much bigger in area than any other South Pacific island they encountered. In fact, New Zealand is bigger than the rest of Polynesia put together, so there was huge variation in landscapes and climate. Upon arrival, they found islands that possessed unusual fauna including the largest bird in the world the Giant Moa and the world's greatest aerial predator, the giant Haast Eagle. The landscape was also different. New Zealand is the only place in Polynesia whose mountains have snow. Not just a few snow capped mountains either. The Southern Alps in the South Island are 600 kms in length and comparable in size to the European Alps. The North Island also has one long chain of mountains as well as volcanoes. Both islands have huge lakes and dense forests.

Some think that the Maori must have discovered Aotearoa by chance or mistake due to the country's extreme isolation. The suggestion is that they were been blown off course in one of their navigations. Contrary to that belief is a small amount of evidence that the Maori may have had sophisticated ancient knowledge of the stars and ocean currents.

Maori Genealogy

The term "Whakapapa" is used to describe Maori genealogy. The word "Papa" doesn't mean father as you might expect, but rather anything broad, flat, and hard such as a flat rock. So whakapapa means to place in layers and this is the way that different orders of generations are understood. One upon another. The Maori term for descendant is uri, its precise meaning is offspring or issue.

Maori Traditions

Before the coming of the Pakeha (white man) to New Zealand, all literature in Maori was orally passed onto succeeding generations. This included many legends and waiata (song). Although some stories are told as carvings in whare (homes). The most recognised tradition today is the "Haka" which is a war dance. Performed before the onset of war, today it has been immortalised by New Zealand's Rugby Team the All Blacks, who perform this dance before every game.

The traditional Maori welcome is called a powhiri, this involves a hongi which is a greeting that involves pressing noses as opposed to a kiss.

Another prominent feature of Maori culture is the striking tattoos that adorn the face. Full faced tattoos or "moko" amongst the Maori tribes was predominantly a male activity. Female forms of moko were restricted to the chin area, the upper lip, and the nostrils. Today the Moko still lives on as an increasing number of Maori opt to receive their moko, in an effort to preserve their culture and connect with their identity.

A traditional form of cooking called a Hangi is a feast cooked inside the earth. Stones are heated in a fire inside a dug out pit and covered in cabbage leaves or watercress to stop the food from burning. Mutton, pork, chicken, potatoes, and kumera (a sweet potato) are then unusually lowered into the pit in a basket. The food is covered with Mutton cloth or similar and traditionally with flax. Finally earth is placed on top to keep in the heat and steam. The food takes about 3 hours to cook. The Hangi is still popular today and is a viable alternative to a weekend barbecue, although more suitable for larger groups due to the reasonable amount of preperation required. The unique taste of food cooked in a Hangi can best be described as steamed food with an earthen flavour.

Click here for Maori Photos.