Maori Culture in New ZealandThe Maori are theindigenous people of NewZealand, they arePolynesian and compriseabout 14 percent of thecountrys population. Te reoMaori is the native languagewhich is related to Tahitian andHawaiian. It is believed that theMaori migrated from Polynesiain canoes around the 9thcentury to 13th century AD. PolynesiaDutch navigator Abel Tasman was the first European to encounter the Maori. Four members of his crew were killed in a bloody encounter in 1642. In 1769 British explorer James Cook established friendly relations with some Maori. By 1800, visits by European ships were relatively frequent. At this time, war and disease took their toll on the Maori till eventually their population dropped to about 100,000. In 1840 representatives of Britain and Maori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi. This treaty established British rule, granted the Maori British citizenship, and recognized Maori land rights. Today many of the treatys provisions are disputed and there has been an ongoing effort from the New Zealand Government to recompense Maori for land that was illegally confiscated. The present Maori population is around 600,000 or 14% of the countrys population, and Maori live in all parts of New Zealand, but predominately in the North Island where the climate is warmer. Maori TraditionsThe most recognised tradition today is the Haka which is a war dance. The Haka was performed before the onset of war by the Maori last century, but has been immortalized by New Zealands Rugby Team the All Blacks, who perform this dance before every game. HakaMaori TraditionsThe traditional Maori welcome is called a powhiri, this involves a hongi hi which is a greeting that involves pressing noses as opposed to a kiss. Maori TraditionsAnother prominent feature of Maori culture is the striking tattoos that adorn the face. Full faced tattoos or moko, amongst the Maori tribes was predominantly a male activity. Female forms of moko were restricted to the chin area, the upper lip, and the nostrils. Today the Moko still lives on as an increasing number of Maori are opting to receive their moko, in an effort to preserve and connect with their culture and identity. Maori TraditionsA traditional form of cooking called a Hangi /hai, hi/ is a feast cooked in the earth. Stones are heated in a fire inside a dug out pit and covered in cabbage leaves or watercress to stop the food from burning. Mutton, pork, chicken, potatoes and kumera (a sweet potato) are then unusually lowered into the pit in a basket. The food is covered with Mutton cloth or similar and traditionally with flax. Finally earth is placed on top to keep in the steam. The food takes about 3 hours to cook. The Hangi is still popular and is a viable alternative to a weekend barbecue, although more suitable for large groups. The unique taste of food cooked in a Hangi can best be described as steamed food with an earthen flavour.