Maori
Welcome to Maori.com, an information portal on contemporary Maori culture, business and tourism.
Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand Aotearoa, and their story is both long and intriguing. On the basis of oral records, archeological finds and genetic analyses, historical treatises place the arrival of Maori in New Zealand Aotearoa in the thirteenth century AD.
The origin of Maori has been reliably traced to the islands of Eastern Polynesia, and their journey to New Zealand Aotearoa occurred in a number of epic canoe (waka) voyages over a significant period of time. These journeys established Maori as daring and resourceful adventurers, and as one of the greatest navigating peoples of all time.
Maori Culture
Defining aspects of Maori culture include art, legend, tattoo (moko), performances (notably kapa haka), customs, hospitality and community.
Since the early 1980s Maori culture has undergone a renaissance. The regeneration of interest in Maori culture has extended to language, and Maori language programs (such as kohanga reo) are now flourishing.
One of the most exciting aspects of contemporary Maori culture is art. New, highly talented Maori artists continue to join the ranks of the established names in the world of Maori art, and together they are forging an international reputation due the exceptional quality of their work.
Maori Business & Tourism
In tandem with the re-emergence of Maori culture has been an expansion of the Maori business sector. Traditional areas of business for Maori have been agriculture, forestry and fisheries, but diversification is now underway into other sectors such as horticulture, wine, energy, renewables, information technology and large-scale tourism.
The asset base of Maori businesses has been augmented in recent years with settlements from initial claims made by Maori tribes (iwi) under the Treaty of Waitangi, and these settlements are assisting Maori businesses in their diversification goals.
The development of future strategies for Maori business is now a key focus, and the principal agency responsible for advising government, Te Puni Kokiri, has been central in this process (see the report from Te Puni Kokiri entitled For Maori Future Makers - PDF 2MB).
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