Te Iwi Māori

Te Iwi Māori refers to the Māori people, the indigenous inhabitants of New Zealand (Aotearoa). They have a rich culture, language (Te Reo Māori), and traditions rooted in their ancestral connections to the land, known as iwi (tribes) and hapū (subtribes). Māori society values kinship, spirituality, and community, with historical practices like storytelling and kapa haka (performing arts) playing significant roles. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 between Māori chiefs and the British Crown, is a key document shaping their rights and relationship with the New Zealand government, emphasizing the importance of understanding and respecting Māori culture today.