Introduction to Maori history and culture

1. Introduction to Maori history and culture Pre-European Maori life and culture in New Zealand/ Aotearoa The arrival of European people Wars, government, schooling and decline of Maori Urbanisation and renaissance of Maori Challenges facing Maori

2. Pre-European Maori life • Maori people arrived in New Zealand on canoes in about 1300 AD • Maori lived in large groups called tribes or hapu/ iwi • Maori lived near waterways, for the fishing, and built their pa on hillsides, so they could see enemies coming • Men did the fishing and hunting and women cooked the food and made things like baskets for the food

3. Pre-European Maori culture • Maori people spoke the Maori language and did not read or write (it was an oral culture) • War was common between Maori tribes, as they fought for food and land (resources) • Maori had a well-developed culture based on song, dance, oral history and traditional arts • The family and tribe was the most important thing in Maori culture and life

4. The arrival of European people • Europeans first came here to settle after James Cook came here in 1769 • When Cook arrived and met Maori, Cook described Maori as curious and intelligent people • More European settlers came after 1800 looking for a better life in New Zealand • Christians began teaching Maori how to read and write from 1814

5. Wars, government • The Queen of England wanted to make New Zealand a colony, so she sent governorsto live here and establish control and rule over the land and the Maori people. Maori signed a treaty called The Treaty of Waitangi, which gave England control over New Zealand • Many wars occurred in the 1860s between Maori and European settlers because of the control over the land

6. Schooling and decline of Maori culture • The new New Zealand government made all children go to school from 1877 • Maori language was not allowed in schools, only English • Many Maori children and families stopped speaking Maori • The British culture began to dominate Maori life and Maori lost many of their traditional ways of life

7. Maori urbanisation • After World War Two Maori began moving from their traditional tribal living in the countryside, to going to find work in the cities • Many Maori saw this as a loss of traditional Maori living and culture

8. Maori values changed • In 1940-1950 Maori had on average 15-16 children • In 1956-1960 Maori had 7-8 children • Today Maori have an average of 2.5 children • In 1945 26% of Maori lived in cities • Today over 85% of Maori live in cities

9. Maori cultural and language renaissance • From 1960 urban Maori began to protest against the government mainly for the land that had been taken from Maori • From 1970 Maori began to write stories and express themselves through art to the mainstream and Maori language was introduced into schools • WitiIhimaera was one of the most important story writers to write at this time

10. Challenges facing Maori • Maori people have more problems with alcohol, drugs, violence and imprisonment than other groups in New Zealand • They have more health problems and die earlier • They have higher unemployment and lower success at school • However, the culture and language is growing and is an extremely important part of New Zealand culture and life today