Maori (New Zealand Indigenous People)

The Māori are the Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand, arriving from eastern Polynesia around the 13th century. They developed a distinct culture, language, art, and social structure, heavily centered on whakapapa (ancestry) and connection to the land. Māori traditions include storytelling, haka (dance),, and tattooing (moko). They faced colonization, which challenged their sovereignty and way of life, but today they retain a strong cultural identity and actively participate in New Zealand’s social, political, and cultural spheres. The Māori Movement emphasizes the preservation and revitalization of their language and customs, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s national identity.