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Maori is the base of New Zealand and their socio-cultural life. Maori culture is a rich and varied with traditional and contemporary arts. The Maori culture has an important impact on the language, society, arts and even the accent of the citizens of New Zealand. There are numerous theories about the origin of the Maori. Some stories say that Maori people arrived here in voyaging canoes from their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki over 1000 years ago. Today they have taken a major part of New Zealand culture.
Maori culture is a rich and varied one, and includes traditional and contemporary arts. Maori culture is also rich in traditional stories and legends. The Maori creation story describes the world being formed by the separation of Ranginui, the Sky Father, and Papatuanuku, the Earth Mother, by their children.
Abel Tasman, a Dutch navigator was the first European to encounter the Maori. But in 1769 British explorer James Cook established friendly relations with some Maori. By 1800, visits by European ships were relatively frequent. In 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by representatives of Britain and Maori chiefs. This treaty established British rule, recognized Maori land rights and granted the Maori British citizenship.
Some consider that the island of Hawaiki were likely near Hawaii and others that Hawaiki is now inundated by the Pacific Ocean due to a rise in global sea level. Another theory reveals that the Maori originated in China, and travelled via Taiwan and Philippines to Fiji and then moved to Cook Islands and finally to New Zealand. Legends says that since New Zealand was not only colder, but it also much bigger in area that time so when the Maori arrived in New Zealand they found this land quite different to tropical Polynesia and started dwelling here.
Archaeological evidences show that the Maori had sophisticated ancient knowledge of the stars and ocean currents and this knowledge is carved in their "whare" i.e. houses. The term "Whakapapa" is used to describe Maori genealogy. For them the word "Papa" doesn't mean father but rather something broad, flat, and hard such as a flat rock.
The tattoo cultures is one of the present fashion trends in the world but for the Maori people the striking tattoos to adorn the face, is one of the prominent feature of traditional Maori culture. Full faced tattoos or "moko", amongst the Maori tribes was predominantly a male activity. Female forms of “moko” were restricted to the chin area, nostrils and the upper lip.
Their traditional form of cooking called a Hangi is a feast cooked in the earth. The unique delicious taste of food cooked in a Hangi can best be described as steamed food with a clay flavour. By nature the Maori people are very friendly, charming and helpful. The rich factors related to arts, cuisine, traditions and customs of Maori society are an integral part of the culture of New Zealand. The rich, vibrant and dynamic civilization of Maori excites travelers to explore deeper and learn more about the New Zealand society.
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