Māori culture and the Treaty of Waitangi
Māori culture and language, and the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi), are important parts of life in New Zealand.
Māori people and culture
Māori are the indigenous people (tangata whenua) of Aotearoa New Zealand. Their ancestors navigated from the Pacific and settled here around the 13th century, establishing a rich and enduring culture.
You can learn about Māori culture on the Te Ara (The Encyclopedia of New Zealand) website. It has information about the history of Māori arrival and settlement and gives an overview of Māori culture.
Te Ara also discusses 'biculturalism' and how the relationship between Māori and Pākehā (New Zealanders of European descent) in New Zealand has changed over time. The website also has a brief history of New Zealand.
Māori — Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Biculturalism — Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
New Zealand in Brief — History — Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Understanding Te Ao Māori — the Māori worldview
In Aotearoa New Zealand, Māori culture is a cornerstone of national identity. Te ao Māori — the Māori worldview, is deeply connected to the land, ancestors and community.
It values:
- Whanaungatanga — relationships and connectedness
- Manaakitanga — care and hospitality
- Kaitiakitanga — guardianship of the environment
- Wairua — spirituality and wellbeing.
As a newcomer, showing respect for Māori language, customs and protocols helps to build a connection.
When you are here, you can participate in national events such as Matariki (Māori New Year), learn common greetings, and be open to learning local stories and histories.
Te reo Māori — the Māori language
An important part of Māori culture is the Māori language — te reo Māori.
Te reo is an official language in Aotearoa New Zealand, along with English and New Zealand Sign Language. Here, te reo is used by both Māori and non-Māori. You may see it on signs and hear it on TV, the radio, at work and in everyday conversations.
Te reo Māori — the Māori language — Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
The names of some places and organisations are written in both Māori and English. Some government websites are also written in both Māori and English.
Our national anthem is usually sung in Māori and English.
God Defend New Zealand — Ministry of Culture and Heritage
Learn te reo Māori
Many people in New Zealand learn and speak some te reo Māori. You may find it helpful to learn common words and phrases.
Many organisations offer lessons — some of these are free.
The good way to learn te reo and how to pronounce it is to listen to it. Radio New Zealand has a selection of greetings and other phrases in Māori that you can listen to.
Te reo Māori used on Radio NZ — Radio New Zealand
Treaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) is an agreement between Māori and the British Crown.
The Treaty was signed in 1840 by over 500 Māori chiefs (rangatira) and representatives of the British crown when Britain first claimed New Zealand as a colony.
The New Zealand Government is strongly influenced by the Treaty because it governs the relationship between Māori and non-Māori in New Zealand. The Treaty affirms Māori rights and provides a foundation for respectful relationships between Māori and the Crown.
There are 2 versions of the Treaty — one in te reo Māori and one in English.
Although the Treaty was intended to create unity, the meaning of the te reo Māori version is quite different to the English version. This has led to significant debate.
Understanding the Treaty will help you to understand the influence it has on life in New Zealand.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi — The Treaty of Waitangi — Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
The Treaty of Waitangi — Archives New Zealand
Discover more about the Treaty of Waitangi, now available in 30 additional languages alongside the original English and te reo Māori versions.