 The arrival of the Maori people to New Zealand is
deemed as somewhat of a mystery. It is estimated that the first
Polynesians arrived over 1000 years ago, possibly around 800AD or
even earlier. Linguistic and cultural evidence suggests that the
Maori travelled originally from the Cook Islands - an
enormous feat at that time considering the prevailing winds make
sailing in a southeast direction extremely difficult. It is
because of this that the first navigators probably came here by
design, looking for land whose presence may have been indicated
by migratory birds, still flying these paths today. It is unknown
if these first explorers actually settled here, or if in fact
they returned to the Rarotongan Islands to herald the migration.
By the end of the fourteenth century settlement was established
throughout the country, most being in the warmer climes of the
north, being closer to that of their origins. Being Neolithic,
devoid of hides and textiles, they clothed themselves in cloaks
constructed with woven flax and adorned with dog fur or feathers
provided by many native birds including kiwi and moa. The northern conditions were favourable for
many of the subtropical food plants they brought with them, in
particular the sweet potato, or Kumara. The Maori people also
lived off the abundant produce provided by native birds and the
sea. In the south the bird life was hunted to extinction, the
most famous of which being the Moa, the spectacular flightless
bird that could reach up to 3.7m in height.
 As the Polynesian population increased, the lifestyle of
opportunism gradually adjusted to a more conservative existence
involving garden agriculture, storing of food and distinctive
settlements emerged. Communities grew up around fertile land that
was close to birding and fishing locations, resulting in a home
focus for the whanau (family) and connecting families in the hapu
(clan). Geographical features established natural territorial
boundaries and as marriage loyalties were encouraged within the
whanau and hapu, the iwi (tribe) culture evolved.
 Wood, bone and greenstone (jade) carving was both an art and a
necessity, providing the tools in which to catch, propagate and
prepare food. With the growing need to protect property and
possessions, these skills lead to the design and implementation
of weaponry for close quarter fighting. The pa (fortified
village) was developed on terraced hilltops with concentric
walls. If the outer wall was successfully invaded, the defenders
could continue retreating to the next fortified inner terrace. Evidence of these fortifications still
exist and can be seen on many raised hills and knolls throughout
the country. War was accompanied with its own worship,
sacrifices, rituals, dances and art forms - exhibitions of these
can be observed today at various formal occasions and at many
tourist attractions. Tribes engaged eagerly into numerous battles
over territory, utu (revenge) and for other reasons - the
losers often becoming slaves or food.
The Maori developed elaborate artistic traditions, evident in the
marae, especially on the ornate meetinghouses built featuring
powerful wooden carvings depicting ancestors and their history.
Woven flax panels called tuku tuku and symbolic paintings were
also widespread throughout the communities. The high-ranking men
were decorated with intricate tattoos on their faces and
buttocks, while women of similar prestige wore moko’s, a
facial tattoo on the chin. (Continue.....)
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