The Maori

Arrival Several waves of migration came from Eastern Polynesia to New Zealand between AD 800 and Several waves of migration came from Eastern Polynesia to New Zealand between AD 800 and 1300.

Māori oral history describes the arrival of ancestors from Hawaiki (a mythical homeland in tropical Polynesia) in large ocean-going canoes. Māori oral history describes the arrival of ancestors from Hawaiki (a mythical homeland in tropical Polynesia) in large ocean-going canoes.

Origins Most Pacific populations originated in Taiwan around 5,200 years ago Most Pacific populations originated in Taiwan around 5,200 years ago

The ancestors of the Māori arrived in a forested land which featured abundant birdlife, including the now extinct Moa species and the giant Haast’s Eagle which preyed upon the moa. The ancestors of the Māori arrived in a forested land which featured abundant birdlife, including the now extinct Moa species and the giant Haast’s Eagle which preyed upon the moa.

As Māori continued in geographic isolation, performing arts such as the haka traditional dance developed from their Polynesian roots, as did carving and weaving. As Māori continued in geographic isolation, performing arts such as the haka traditional dance developed from their Polynesian roots, as did carving and weaving.

Maori Art

Tatoos

MAORI TATTOO Instead of needles, the Maori people used knives and chisels (uhi), either smooth or serrated, and the ink was applied by means of incisions. The uhi was made from an albatross bone. The black fill was derived from burnt wood. Maori tattooing would usually start at adolescence, and was used to celebrate important events throughout life. The first tattoo marks the transition from childhood to adulthood and was done during a series of rites and rituals. People without tattoos were considered to be without status or worth. Maori tattoos were meant to be more than decorative – they were a show of strength, courage and status. (it is an insult for other races to wear these!)

Myths

European contact European settlement of New Zealand occurred in relatively recent historical times. European settlement of New Zealand occurred in relatively recent historical times. By 1830, estimates placed the number of Europeans living among the Māori as high as 2,000. By 1830, estimates placed the number of Europeans living among the Māori as high as 2,000. European New Zealanders are referred to as Pakeha European New Zealanders are referred to as Pakeha

The Musket Wars During the period from 1805 to 1840 the acquisition of muskets upset the balance of power among Māori tribes, leading to a period of bloody inter-tribal warfare, known as the Musket Wars During the period from 1805 to 1840 the acquisition of muskets upset the balance of power among Māori tribes, leading to a period of bloody inter-tribal warfare, known as the Musket Wars

Population dropping European diseases such as influenza and measles also killed an unknown number of Māori: estimates vary between ten and fifty per cent. European diseases such as influenza and measles also killed an unknown number of Māori: estimates vary between ten and fifty per cent.

British involvement With increasing Christian missionary activity, growing European settlement and the perceived lawlessness of Europeans in New Zealand, the British Crown, as a world power, came under pressure to intervene With increasing Christian missionary activity, growing European settlement and the perceived lawlessness of Europeans in New Zealand, the British Crown, as a world power, came under pressure to intervene Queen Victoria annexed New Zealand by royal proclamation in January Queen Victoria annexed New Zealand by royal proclamation in January 1840.

Treaty of Waitangi The British negotiated the Treaty of Waitangi with northern chiefs. Other Māori chiefs subsequently signed this treaty. The British negotiated the Treaty of Waitangi with northern chiefs. Other Māori chiefs subsequently signed this treaty. But, in the end, only 500 chiefs out of the 1500 sub-tribes of New Zealand signed the Treaty But, in the end, only 500 chiefs out of the 1500 sub-tribes of New Zealand signed the Treaty

Only a minority sign Some influential chiefs — such as Te Wherwhero in Waikato, and Te Kani- a-Takirau from the east coast of the North Island — refused to sign Some influential chiefs — such as Te Wherwhero in Waikato, and Te Kani- a-Takirau from the east coast of the North Island — refused to sign

The treaty made the Māori British subjects in return for a guarantee of Māori property-rights and tribal autonomy The treaty made the Māori British subjects in return for a guarantee of Māori property-rights and tribal autonomy Dispute continues over whether the Treaty of Waitangi ceded Māori sovereignty. Māori chiefs signed a Māori-language version of the Treaty that did not accurately reflect the English-language version. Dispute continues over whether the Treaty of Waitangi ceded Māori sovereignty. Māori chiefs signed a Māori-language version of the Treaty that did not accurately reflect the English-language version.

The Land Wars In the 1860s, Maori disputes to land dealings were viewed as a challenge to the British system of royalty and led to the New Zealand Land Wars. In the 1860s, Maori disputes to land dealings were viewed as a challenge to the British system of royalty and led to the New Zealand Land Wars. The colonial government confiscated large tracts of tribal land as punishment for what they called rebellion in some cases taking land even from tribes which had taken no part in the war. The colonial government confiscated large tracts of tribal land as punishment for what they called rebellion in some cases taking land even from tribes which had taken no part in the war.

The Land Court The Native Land Acts of 1862 and 1865 set up the Native Land Court, which had the purpose of breaking down communal ownership and facilitating the taking of land. As a result, between 1840 and 1890 Māori lost 95 per cent of their land. The Native Land Acts of 1862 and 1865 set up the Native Land Court, which had the purpose of breaking down communal ownership and facilitating the taking of land. As a result, between 1840 and 1890 Māori lost 95 per cent of their land.

Population declines In 1840, New Zealand had a Māori population of about 100,000 and only about 2,000 Europeans. In 1840, New Zealand had a Māori population of about 100,000 and only about 2,000 Europeans. By the end of the 19th century, the Māori population had declined to 42,113 (according to the 1896 census) and Europeans numbered more than 700,000. By the end of the 19th century, the Māori population had declined to 42,113 (according to the 1896 census) and Europeans numbered more than 700,000.

Survival The decline of the Māori population did not continue; instead levels recovered. The decline of the Māori population did not continue; instead levels recovered. Many Māori retained their cultural identity. Many Māori retained their cultural identity.

MAORI TODAY Recently the New Zealand government negotiated with the Māori to provide redress for its failures to honour the Treaty of Waitangi. Recently the New Zealand government negotiated with the Māori to provide redress for its failures to honour the Treaty of Waitangi. As of 2006 the government had provided over NZ$900 million in settlements, much of it in the form of land deals. As of 2006 the government had provided over NZ$900 million in settlements, much of it in the form of land deals.

Maori Party leaders In the New Zealand electoral system 10% of the seats are reserved for Maori In the New Zealand electoral system 10% of the seats are reserved for Maori This controversial system may be abolished in 2014 when all the treaty settlements have been resolved. This controversial system may be abolished in 2014 when all the treaty settlements have been resolved.