Maori Culture Tourism in New Zealand

 

Maori cultural tours

Māori are the tangata whenua, the indigenous people, of New Zealand. They came here more than 1000 years ago from their mythical Polynesian homeland of Hawaiki. Maori people live throughout New Zealand, and many are actively involved with keeping their culture and language alive. Within any Maori community, the marae provides a focus for social, cultural and spiritual life. The term marae describes a communal ‘plaza’ area that includes a wharenui (meeting house) and wharekai (dining room). They came in great ocean-going double hulled sailing canoes (waka hourua) and they named the land Aotearoa (Land of the Long White Cloud). More waka hourua continued to arrive over the next several hundred years, landing in various parts of New Zealand. Many iwi (tribes) can trace their origins and whakapapa (genealogy) back to these ancestoral canoes. Today, Maori make up over 14 percent of the population and the language and culture impacts on all aspects of New Zealand life.

Maori tourism is a growing industry throughout New Zealand, with large influences in the North Island.The number, variety and quality of Māori tourism businesses have increased dramatically over the last few years and the sector now makes an important contribution to New Zealand’s regional economies. The Maori have a rich culture, steeped in tradition and legend. Legend is passed down through the generations by story telling – stories that tell of the creation of the islands of New Zealand and much more.

Maori Tourism

Maori Tourism in New Zealand started over 130 years ago with local Maori guiding visitors through the Central Plateau region of Aotearoa New Zealand. You can now enjoy a Maori experience with a variety of options.

Indigenous Culture

The Maori people are the indigenous people of Aotearoa (New Zealand) and first arrived here in waka hourua (voyaging canoes) from their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki over 1000 years ago. Today, Maori make up over 14 percent of the population. Their language and culture has a major impact on all facets of New Zealand life.

Rich and Varied

Maori culture is a rich and varied one, and includes traditional and contemporary arts. Traditional arts such as carving, weaving, kapa haka (group performance), whaikorero (oratory) and moko (tattoo) are practised throughout the country. Practitioners following in the footsteps of their tipuna (ancestors) replicate the techniques used hundreds of years ago, yet also develop exciting new techniques and forms. Today Maori culture also includes art, film, television, poetry, theatre, and hip-hop.