The Maori people are indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. They arrived in New Zealand from the Pacific Islands in wakas (canoes), around 1000 years ago. According to oral tradition, their ancestors sailed from Hawaiki, which is believed to be somewhere in the central Pacific Ocean. The Maori population currently accounts for about 15% of New Zealand's total population.
Maori culture is rich in tradition and is deeply connected to the environment. The Maori language, known as Te Reo M?ori, is an official language of New Zealand alongside English. It is considered a taonga (treasure) and is an important aspect of Maori culture.
Before European settlers arrived in New Zealand, Maori society was based on a tribal system. Each tribe had its own customs, traditions, and leaders. These leaders were responsible for maintaining the overall well-being of their tribe. Maori society was hierarchical and based on the concept of whanaungatanga (kinship). Whakapapa (genealogy, family) played a crucial role in defining an individual's place in society.
Maori society was interrupted by the arrival of European settlers, who brought with them new technologies and diseases. This led to conflicts between the Maori and Europeans as they competed for resources and power. In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the Maori chiefs and the British Crown. The treaty aimed to protect Maori rights and establish a partnership between Maori and Europeans.
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