Maori are the tangata whenua, the indigenous people, of New
Zealand. They came here over 1000 years ago from their mythical
Polynesian homeland of Hawaiki. Today Maori make up 14% of the
population and their culture and language sit at the heart of
New Zealand life and society. You’ll notice that most of the
place names are Maori and you’re bound to hear te reo – the
Maori language. There would be few New Zealanders who do not
recognize – and use – common Maori terms and phrases. You’ll
probably pick a few up yourself. Start with ‘kia ora’ – hello,
and you won’t go wrong. And you’re bound to have seen the haka
probably performed by the All Blacks before a match. Like most
things in Maori culture there is a mana and significance to the
haka that is much deeper than outside appearances. If you’d like
to experience Maori culture you could do worse than go to the
areas where Maori culture and lifestyle is strongest. In
Rotorua, there are organized tours that will give you a
traditional welcome onto a marae where