Culture and History

History
According to the Maori belief, their ancestors traveled to New Zealand from an unknown place called Hawaiki. It is possible that Hawaiki is the present day Polynesian Islands. The Maori arrived in New Zealand over 1000 years ago. They traveled by canoe using the stars and the ocean's current as their navigation system("AcrossNZ.com").

In 1642 the first European explorer to encounter New Zealand and the Maori was Abel Janszoon Tasman from Holland. He never set foot on New Zealand's land, but according to history, the encounter ended up violent. Abel Janszoon Tasman from Holland charted part of New Zealand's coastline, and left soon after("New Zealand in History") .

It was not until another hundred years later that a British Explorer James Cook arrived in New Zealand. This was the exact same time that a French trading boat lead by Jean François Marie de Surville arrived in New Zealand. Neither ship knew the other person was there("New Zealand in History") .

Word spread quickly about New Zealand. Traders across the world were quick to take advantage of New Zealand's prime trade location and the superb climate("New Zealand in History") .

The Maori was constantly at war with the European settlers. It was not until 1840 when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed and the British started to govern the land. William Hobson became New Zealand's the first Governor("New Zealand in History").

Culture

The Maori culture is highly respected and used throughout New Zealand. The ancestral Maori traditions were all passed down through the years orally. Nothing was ever documented. The Maori use both traditional and contemporary arts. The traditional arts come though wood carving, weaving, chants, tattoos, performances, and public speaking. Over the centuries, the Maori use contemporary arts such as music, theater, poetry, film, and modern art("AcrossNZ.com") .

The dominate language in New Zealand in English, but many people speak Maori. Most of the schools in New Zealand teach the Maori language and customs
("AcrossNZ.com") .

Here is a video that reveals the significance of the Maori Culture.




Customs

When a tourist visits a Maori person, it is custom to bring an unwrapped and inexpensive gift that provides the Maori information about the visitors homeland. This is also a sign of appreciation. The ceremonial tradition of greeting is the touching of noses(Wilson).


Maori Greeting
Image Found @ http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yWEyPv7fm-w/SZ-ccepiTZI/AAAAAAAAEZM/mMrHMhyD7qc/s400/Tamaki+Hongi+New+RGB.jpg

Cuisine

The Maori's traditional way of preparing their food is using what they called a 'hangi', translated as 'Earth-oven'. Stones were heated by fire then placed in a hole. The Maori would then put a sealed basket of food over the stones and bury it all with sand. The food was left to cook for several hours. Both the Maori men and women would prepare the food. The men would traditionally remove the food from the Earth and serve it to the people(Wilson).
Prior to 1975, the main foods in New Zealand was mostly seafood, lamb, mutton birds, wild pork, bread, dairy, seasonal vegetables and kumara (sweet potato). Chicken was a delicacy. Since new trade regulations passed, New Zealand's cuisine is much more modern and diverse(Wilson).

Traditional Maori Hangi-Earth Oven
Image Found Online @http://www.flickr.com/photos/stendec/140231063/, July 20, 2011

Works Cited

"New Zealand Culture." AcrossNZ.com. Pacific Internet Travel, 2008. Web. 22 Jul 2011. .

"The history of New Zealand : a brief overview of the pre-historic, colonial and modern periods." New Zealand in History. N.p., 22 07 2011. Web. 22 Jul 2011. .

Wilson, Peter J. "New Zealand." Countries and their Cultures. N.p., 2011. Web. 22 Jul 2011. .