Māori people

Quick Facts: Who was Māori people?

Subject:

Māori people

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Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand with a rich culture and complex history.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Māori are the indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand. Māori are descended from East Polynesian settlers who arrived in New Zealand in several waves of canoe voyages between roughly 1320 and 1350. Over several centuries in isolation, these settlers developed a distinct culture, whose language, mythology, crafts, and performing arts evolved independently from those of other eastern Polynesian cultures. In the 15th century some of them moved to the Chatham Islands, where their descendants became New Zealand's other indigenous Polynesian ethnic group, the Moriori. Early contact between Māori and Europeans, starting in the 18th century, ranged from beneficial trade to lethal violence; Māori actively adopted many technologies from the newcomers.

Career & Major Achievements

With the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, the two cultures coexisted for a generation. Rising tensions over disputed land sales led to conflict in the 1860s, and subsequent land confiscations, which Māori resisted fiercely. After the Treaty was declared a legal nullity in 1877, Māori were forced to assimilate into many aspects of Western culture. Social upheaval and epidemics of introduced disease took a devastating toll on the Māori population, which fell dramatically, but began to recover by the beginning of the 20th century. The March 2023 New Zealand census gives the number of people of Māori descent as 978,246 (19.6% of the total population), up from 18.5% in 2018.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Of those identifying as Māori at the 2023 census, 366,015 people (41.2%) identified as of sole Māori ethnicity while 409,401 people (46.1%) identified as of both European and Māori ethnicity. Efforts have been made, centring on the Treaty of Waitangi, to increase the standing of Māori in wider New Zealand society and achieve social justice. Traditional Māori culture has enjoyed a significant revival, which was further bolstered by a Māori protest movement that emerged in the 1960s. However, disproportionate numbers of Māori face significant economic and social obstacles, and generally have lower life expectancies and incomes than other New Zealand ethnic groups. They suffer higher levels of crime, health problems, imprisonment, poverty, and educational under-achievement.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1320: 1320 Milestone — Māori are descended from East Polynesian settlers who arrived in New Zealand in several waves of canoe voyages between roughly 1320 and 1350.
2. 1840: 1840 Milestone — With the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, the two cultures coexisted for a generation.
3. 1877: 1877 Milestone — After the Treaty was declared a legal nullity in 1877, Māori were forced to assimilate into many aspects of Western culture.
4. 2023: 2023 Milestone — The March 2023 New Zealand census gives the number of people of Māori descent as 978,246 (19.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Māori people

True or False: “The Māori people were the first human inhabitants to settle mainland New Zealand, arriving before any Polynesian contact with other islands.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Archaeological and linguistic evidence indicates that the Māori migrated from Polynesia, settling in waves between roughly 1320 and 1350.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Māori people