Maori Culture

In Maori legend, the mountains were once gods and warriors of great strength.

The Whakarewarewa Thermal Village is a Maori tourism product making a name for itself on the global stage.

'Kai' is the Māori word for 'food'. New Zealand's indigenous Māori people were traditionally hunters, gatherers and crop farmers, who gathered food from forest, stream, sea and garden.

Top Maori singer/songwriter Moana Maniapoto has three albums behind her (Tahi and Rua – meaning one and two), Moana and The Tribe already released in Europe, and a fourth album on the way in New Zealand.

Runga is a Malaysian-Maori pop artist, who has successfully fused European pop rhythms with Polynesian influences.

The Toi Iho mark is a registered trade mark used to promote and sell authentic, quality Maori arts and crafts.

As a performing and recording artist, Moana Maniapoto has consistently pushed the boundaries of Maori music with her unique blend of traditional Maori elements and contemporary western grooves.

Acclaimed soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa was born on March 6, 1944, and made her international debut at Covent Garden in 1971.

The 2001 Venice Biennale Arts Festival saw New Zealand represented by Jacqueline Fraser and Peter Robinson.

Maori weaver Diggeress Rangituatahi Te Kanawa (b1920) learnt her school from her mother Dame Rangimarie Hetet. Her skill in creating wharariki (mats) and korowai (cloaks) out of natural material such as flax fibre and feathers, has drawn international acclaim.