Māori history

Polynesian Migration

Giant Haasts eagle attacking New Zealand moa

Early Maori objects from Wairau Bar, Canterbury Museum, 2016-01-27

Model Of Maori Pa On Headland

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Gilsemans 1642

Māori history refers to the history of the Māori people, the indigenous Polynesian inhabitants of New Zealand. The Māori originated from Eastern Polynesian settlers who arrived in New Zealand in several waves of canoe voyages, some time between 1250 and 1300 CE. Over several centuries in isolation, the Polynesian settlers developed a unique culture known as the Māori, with their own language, mythology, crafts, and performing arts. Early Māori formed tribal groups, based on eastern Polynesian social customs and organization. Horticulture flourished using plants they introduced, and later a prominent warrior culture emerged.

Pre-European Contact

Before the arrival of Europeans, the Māori were established in New Zealand, living in both the North and South Islands. Their society was organized into iwi (tribes) and hapū (subtribes) which were largely independent and governed by their own chiefs and social norms. The Māori lived in villages, known as pā, which were often fortified settlements located on hilltops or along coastlines as a defense mechanism against inter-tribal warfare. They were skilled hunters, fishers, and gardeners, cultivating crops brought with them from Polynesia, such as kūmara (sweet potato).

European Contact and Aftermath

The first recorded European to encounter New Zealand was Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1642, but it was not until 1769 that British explorer James Cook made the first extensive European contact with Māori. This contact introduced new technologies, crops, and animals to New Zealand, but also diseases to which the Māori had no immunity, causing significant population decline. The 19th century saw increased European settlement, leading to conflicts over land. The most significant of these conflicts were the New Zealand Wars (1845–1872), which resulted in the loss of much Māori land and sovereignty.

Treaty of Waitangi

In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between Māori chiefs and the British Crown. The treaty is considered the founding document of New Zealand, intended to protect Māori rights and was supposed to establish British law in New Zealand while recognizing Māori ownership over their lands and properties and giving them the rights of British subjects. However, differences in understanding and interpretation of the treaty, particularly between the English and Māori language versions, have led to long-standing issues regarding land, sovereignty, and governance.

20th Century to Present

The 20th century saw Māori society undergoing significant changes. Urbanization and the World Wars brought Māori into closer contact with Europeans and led to shifts in the social structure of Māori society. The latter half of the century saw a Māori cultural revival, with increased efforts to preserve the Māori language and traditions, alongside political activism for Māori rights and treaty settlements.

In recent years, there has been significant progress in addressing historical grievances, with the New Zealand government negotiating settlements with many iwi. The Māori now play an integral role in New Zealand's national identity, contributing to the country's culture, politics, and economy.

See Also

• History of New Zealand
• Polynesian navigation
• Māori culture
• New Zealand Wars
• Treaty of Waitangi