The Maori, New Zealand
An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983
Arrival to
The history of the in can be traced back to the period between 1320-1350AD. Somewhere around this time period, arrived on ‘s , naming this new ‘‘ in the . These settlers, which some believe were led by a legendary chief known as ‘Kupe’, are thought to have originated from an island known as , from which multiple return journeys were made over the following centuries, pointing to a history of planned and deliberate settlement during early history. Over time the local population developed a distinct language and culture of their own, coming to be known as the . The were skilled hunters and horticulturalists, cultivating foods brought with their ancestors from Polynesia such as taro and kumara (sweet potato), as well as hunting some of ‘s endemic wildlife. Notable amongst this wildlife is the now extinct Moa, a megafauna variety of flightless bird which could grow to a size of 3.6m, and weigh in at roughly 230kg. As time progressed and competition for and resources intensified, changed in kind, with increased incidents of tribal warfare, as well as the introduction of a number of management techniques designed to protect many of the local species from over-exploitation. Curiously enough, it wasn’t until the arrival of Europeans in that the would identify by this name. Instead the name ‘Māori’, meaning normal was used in opposition to the , named ‘Pakeha’ in the .
Contact with Europeans
The first incidence of contact between the and Europeans came in the year 1642, with Dutch explorer Abel Tasman ‘discovering’ the islands, later to be known as after the Dutch province of ‘Zeeland’. This contact was brief and violent, with 4 of Tasman’s men killed off the coast of the , and with Tasman himself never setting foot on . The era of European contact started in earnest just over a hundred years later, with British explorer Captain James Cook venturing to the islands in the year 1769. Following Cook’s voyage in the HMS Endeavour and the mapping of the region, a small stream of began to venture to the islands. Many of these settlers operated small trading outposts, supplying French, British, and American whaling boats, and trading with the local for food, flax and hides. Initially relations with the Europeans were relaxed, and European goods such as muskets became highly prized possessions for the local tribes. However, the introduction of Europeans onto the island came to rapidly transform over the coming years. European diseases devastated the , who had no natural immunity to common illnesses, while the proliferation of firearms led to a series of inter-tribal wars known as the ‘musket wars’. Christian missionaries also had a profound impact, with over 20 missionary stations established by the year 1840, converting an increasing proportion of the . The defining moment in this relationship came in the year 1840, with the signing of a document known as the ‘Treaty of ‘, known today as one of ‘s foundational documents. This treaty between the British Crown and hundreds of codified a relationship between the two, and formally established as a possession of the British Crown. However, the legacy of is still controversial, with many of the promises and rights to the ignored and abused in subsequent years.
and Society
Traditional Maori society is structured around the unit of the or ‘‘ which formed the principal political bodies of . Traditionally, these tribes were subdivided into smaller core units known as ‘hapu’ which are genealogically related family groups, generally ranging between 50-170 members. This group structure, joined under the allegiance of , was at the core of the ‘s social structure since the dates of early settlement. In contemporary , an important part of the shared identity is the veneration of ones ancestors, which in turn has ties to ancestral and a sense of shared belonging to the group, as well as what it means to think and behave in distinctly ways. A good way to experience first hand is through a visit to a ‘‘, which is a meeting hall of sorts used for a number of traditional activities. are used today as sites of cultural learning, and are often used to teach students about the and culture. In a one might have the opportunity to partake in a ‘‘, which is a traditional method of cooking using a pit oven; this is a deep pit filled with hot rocks, wire, and foil, which slow cooks meat and vegetables gently over a long period of time. The is traditionally a place of convergence for members of the community, as they wait together for a shared feast.
Another recognizable part of is the famous war dance called the ‘‘, many may recognize this dance from the rugby team, who perform this dance before matches. The is a dance used traditionally to intimidate opponents, with its strong movements, stomping, and shouting providing a boon to morale. This having been said, the is also used on other occasions, such as to greet notable guests, honour achievements, or to pay respects during funerals. Since 1975, around the time of the introduction of the Tribunal, the has experienced something of a revival, with numerous claims of returned to their traditional owners, along with reparations and moves towards reconciliation. This has coincided with a growing , and the introduction of ‘ ‘, or the as an official language of in 1987.
