| The Maori call New Zealand 'Aotearoa,'
the Land of the Long White Cloud.
HISTORY
The Maori are descended from people who originally populated the
Pacific Islands.
Maori are closely linked in culture and language to the Maori of
the Cook Islands, the Maohi of Te Ao Maohi (French Polynesia), the
people of Rapanui (known as Easter Island) and the Kanaka Maoli
of Hawai'i and also to the Western Polynesian region.
Maori first arrived via waka hourua (voyaging canoes)
in several waves between 800-1,300 AD. They settled throughout the
land, surviving by farming and hunting. By 1800 there were more
than 100,000 Maori in New Zealand.
TREATY OF WAITANGI
In 1840 Maori chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the
Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria
while retaining territorial rights. This teaty is considered New
Zealand's founding document and established British law in New Zealand,
while at the same time guaranteeing Maori authority over their land
and culture. The treaty is unique in the world as a founding document
that is not just about conquest.
Every year on February 6, New Zealand marks the signing of the
treaty with celebrations throughout the country and in Waitangi.
The day was first officially commemorated in 1934 and has been a
public holiday since 1974.
FESTIVALS
The Maori New Year, Matariki, marks the end of harvest and the
beginning of the planting season. Events are held at the end of
June and early July.
REGIONS
The 2008 Maori
Tourism Sector Profile Report identifies a growing trend towards
other popular spots including Auckland and Canterbury. Rotorua maintains
its reputation as the capital of Maori tourism, with 86 per cent
or 396,000 international visitors seeking a unique Maori experience
in the region for the 2005/2006 period.
REFERENCES
Tourism
and Indigenous People
Maori
Independence Site
New Zealand
Maori Tourism Council
Maori in Tourism
Rotorua
Korero Maori
New
Zealand through the eyes of its indigenous people - New Zealand.com
Maori
Tourism Sector Profile Report
Welcome to Ngai
Tahu
Maori-
based Tourism in Rotorua: Perceptions of Place (PDF)
MAORI NEWS
Maori Television
Te
Ahi Kaa
Maori
- Radio New Zealand
LANGUAGE
100
Maori words every New Zealander should know - NZ History Net
Maori language
net
AUDIO
FLICKR
New
Zealand Collection
Group:
Ecotourism Challenges
Maori
ONLINE
FLICKR
WIKI
Maori
ONLINE
WIKI
|
