Posted by It’s often said that getting to know the people of a new country is the best way to understand it. This is especially true in New Zealand, where learning more about the Māori, who have been in the country for the longest, is a great place to start.
It’s crucial to approach any new culture research with decency and an open mind. Before studying abroad in New Zealand, there are ten things you should know about Māori culture to help you become a more polite and knowledgeable traveler.
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list of things to know about New Zealand Maori culture before studying abroad
below are some things to know about new Zealand Maori culture before studying abroad.
1. Māori have lived in Aotearoa for around 1,000 years
One of the things to know about New Zealand Maori culture before studying abroad. It is thought that between 1200 and 1300 AD, the ancestors of the modern Māori arrived in Aotearoa, New Zealand. As British colonists started coming in the 1830s, Māori and British forces engaged in warfare as a means of gaining territory for settlements.
Signed in te reo Māori and English in 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was an agreement between 540 Māori rangatira (chiefs) and the British Crown. The treaty was intended to regulate rebellious British subjects while safeguarding Māori interests, sovereignty, and land.
This was contradicted by the New Zealand Settlements Act of 1863, though. It permitted the taking of Māori land from any tribe (iwi) that the Crown judged to be disloyal. This led to widespread land seizures on the South and North Islands. In essence, the Crown took control of the whole South Island in return for Māori “benefits” that were never implemented.
The Waitangi Tribunal was founded in 1975 with the intention of assisting Māori tribes in formally redressing historical wrongs. Since then, some land deals have been negotiated, but more needs to be done. Many political parties now advocate for the return of all Māori land that has been stolen, among them Te Pāti Māori (Māori Party).
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2. Te reo Māori is one of the three official languages of New Zealand
Three official languages are used in New Zealand: English, New Zealand Sign Language, and te reo Māori, which was added in 1987. There is a push to have all road signs bilingual by 2024.
Māori Language Week is celebrated annually in the third week of September throughout the nation. Since its inception in 1975, the custom has centered on encouraging the resuscitation and acknowledgement of Māori language. Presently, te reo Māori is the only language spoken on national TV and radio stations in New Zealand, and the language is taught in a number of language schools.
3. Visiting a marae is a great way to experience Māori culture
Visiting A marae is a whānau (family), hapū (sub-tribe), or iwi (tribe) sacred meeting place in Māori culture is one the things to know about New Zealand Maori culture before studying abroad. It consists of a dining hall, a restroom/shower block, a meeting house, and an open area in front.
Rather than residing in a marae, Māori people gather here for significant occasions such as weddings, funerals, and birthdays. Everyone sleeps on mattresses on the floor of the meeting house during these times, and meals are shared by all.
You cannot simply show up at a marae if you are interested in attending. You have to be invited to take part in a pōwhiri, or welcome ceremony. Waewae tapu, or sacred feet, refers to someone who has never entered a marae. Through the welcoming ceremony, the sacredness is lifted, enabling the guest to enter and take part in group activities.
4. Tikanga are important for everyone
Tikanga are traditional Māori standards of behavior and decency that are upheld throughout New Zealand. Their culture is built on the values of respect for both oneself and others. Among these guidelines are the following:
- Taking off your shoes to enter a house or marae
- Treating the head as sacred (tapu) means avoiding touching someone’s head unless invited, putting your hat on the table, passing food over people’s heads, and sitting on pillows.
- Steer clear of people who are seated on the ground.
- waiting to enter a room or move across one until a person in a position of authority has finished speaking
- Never lean or sit on tables.
- By following these customs, you can help prevent offending anyone.
5. Handshakes are not the traditional form of greeting
While it might be instinctive to reach out and give someone a firm handshake when you meet someone new, this is not how Māori greet each other.
Rather, they greet each other with the much more intimate and cordial hongi (not to be confused with the hangi method of cooking). In particular, the hongi involves two people sharing the breath of life by pressing their foreheads and noses against each other. It is intended to represent the merging of both souls.
6. Haka is more than one dance
Haka is one of the top things to know about New Zealand Maori culture before studying abroadIf you are familiar with the haka, you probably think of the rugby team from New Zealand, the All Blacks, and their pre-match ritual. But this is just one dance among many.
The general dance form that can be performed during peace or conflict is known as haka. A group uses chanting, stomping, and expressive body and facial gestures in their performance. The story conveyed by the chants is highlighted by the haka’s movement.
The most well-known haka is called Ka Mate, and it was written by the Māori leader Te Rauparaha in the 1820s. The All Blacks most frequently perform this haka.
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7. The islands are steeped in traditional folklore and mythology
The North and South islands of Aotearoa, New Zealand, as well as the origins of Earth and humanity are all described in Māori mythology and folklore, which is passed down orally.
As per the legend, when his brothers attempted to abandon him, the cunning and mischievous demigod Māui hid on their fishing boat. He came to light once they were at sea. He quickly realized the size of what he was pulling in after casting his line. Eventually, a chunk of land rather than a fish surfaced from the water. The North Island was formed from that landmass.
The Māori term for the South Island is Te Waka a Māui, which means Māui’s canoe. According to legend, Māui and his four brothers sailed in this canoe from the moment they successfully landed on the North Island.
8. Māori have a strong arts tradition
This is one of the One of the things to know about New Zealand Maori culture before studying abroad. Dance, music, and art are all significant parts of Māori culture. Among the most well-known traditions in the arts are:
- Whakairo (carving)
- Raranga (weaving)
- Tā moko (tattooing)
Ancient techniques are passed down and preserved because many of the arts are taught by people who were trained by masters generations before them.
Institutions including Te Puia, Te Papa, the Auckland Museum, and the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute display Māori art.
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9. No two Māori tattoos are the same
On the list of One of the things to know about New Zealand Maori culture before studying abroad Maori tattoos is one of them. In Māori culture, traditional tattoos, or tā moko, are very important. Tattoos are unique because they represent the ancestry and identity of the individual getting them, even though there are universal designs.
Facial tattoos are particularly significant and convey nobility and status because the head is revered. Whereas women receive moko kauae on their lips and chins, men receive mataora on their faces. Traditionally, tā moko were inlaid into the skin using a mallet and chisel blades. Tā moko artists now employ both contemporary tattoo needles and the age-old technique.
10. Hāngi is about food, friends, and family
The cooking of food underground, or hāngi, is a distinctive culinary technique used by the Māori.
Heat-resistant rocks, foil, or wire baskets are commonly used to line the hole where hāngi is cooked. Typically, seafood and poultry along with some vegetables are prepared using the hāngi method. It is also possible to serve fried bread.
Despite its seemingly simple preparation, honing is a laborious and time-consuming procedure. Māori value community above all else, with gatherings allowing people to catch up and spend extended periods of time together. It’s not just about the food.
Accept Māori culture while studying abroad in New Zealand.
Don’t just take our word for it; there are some fascinating aspects of Māori culture that you have learned. Seek out opportunities to interact with Māori people and gain firsthand knowledge of their beliefs, heritage, and history during your study abroad experience in New Zealand. You can start to fully embrace Aotearoa’s indigenous peoples by keeping your heart and mind open.
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