New Zealand's Maori culture is an integral part of Kiwi life and adds a unique, dynamic experience for visitors.
Maori are the tangata whenua, the indigenous people, of New Zealand. They came here more than 1000 years ago from their mythical Polynesian homeland of Hawaiki. Today Maori make up 14% of our population and their history, language and traditions are central to New Zealand’s identity.
You’re bound to hear te reo Maori, the Maori language, during your travels in New Zealand. There would be few New Zealanders who do not recognise common Maori terms and phrases. You’ll probably pick a few up yourself. Start with ‘kia ora’ – hello!
Maori cultural performances, which include traditional singing, dancing and haka (ancient war dances) are a wonderful way to experience our culture first hand. In Rotorua, and indeed throughout the country, organised tours provide a traditional Maori welcome onto a marae (meeting area), where you can enjoy a cultural show followed by a hangi feast cooked in earth ovens.
Maori visual arts like carving, weaving and tattooing are also alive and well in New Zealand. Precious adornments and traditional weapons can be found in museums and at cultural centres on both islands. They provide a fascinating gateway to New Zealand’s history, and if you catch a carving or weaving demonstration, you’ll see that many of the techniques used remain unchanged to this day. Compare this with contemporary examples of Maori art, fashion, film and television, and you’ll find that Maori creative expression is ever growing and developing.
