Maori People
Maori are the tangata whenua (indigenous people of the land) of New Zealand and our culture is an integral part of New Zealand life.
About 15% of the country’s population of 4.09 million is of Maori descent and this percentage is growing every year.
Maori are a tribal people and these tribes are known as iwi. Some of the important cultural aspects of Maori culture are kai (food) cooked on hot stones underground as part of a traditional hangi, powhiri (welcome), marae (meeting houses), and kapa haka (traditional performances of song and dance). Maori culture forms the basis of New Zealand culture and it is the essence of our society.
Maori Today
Contemporary Maori are balancing traditional culture with savvy business and are proving to be some of the most entrepreneurial members of New Zealand society.
Traditional Maori Food
Maori legend says that food is a gift from the gods - Ranginui the Sky Father and Papatuanuku the Earth Mother.
From Tane come the game birds of the forest, from Tangaroa seafood, from Haumia wild plants and from Rongo, cultivated vegetables.
Traditional Maori methods of cooking include tunutunu (grilling) or kohua (boiling) but hangi is the most popular for large groups and is still used today.
A hangi is food steam-cooked in an underground oven. Traditional Maori food includes kumara (sweet potato); fish; shellfish; puha (like spinach); muttonbirds (salty meat that tastes like fish); chicken. Modern hangi include mutton, pork, pumpkin, potatoes and other vegetables.
