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The Maori are an aboriginal tribe in New Zealand who migrated from Polynesia between AD 800 and 1300. They have survived colonization and have had some land returned to them. They have embraced modern social structures while staying true to their cultural values. They remain the poorest group in New Zealand but have significant political power and cultural influence. Films such as Whale Rider have documented their culture.
The Maori are the aboriginal tribe that inhabits New Zealand. They are thought to have migrated from the Polynesian islands to New Zealand in the 500-year period between AD 800 and 1300. There is significant evidence that these people share many common words with Polynesian languages, as well as retaining certain cultural values.
The Maori are one of the most successful Aboriginal tribal groups in terms of surviving colonization. Their cultural traditions have resisted the incursion of European nations, although many have intermarried with Europeans.
That doesn’t mean the Maori didn’t have problems with regards to European settlers. Some lands were confiscated by the British during the Maori land wars in the 1860s. The population declined shortly after this period and many began to predict that the Maori people would soon become but a distant memory on New Zealand land.
Fortunately, this prediction did not come true and the culture was resurrected. The 20th century brought a greater respect for the Maori culture and people. The many who volunteered to help Britain fight WWII increased this respect in the British Empire.
Since the 1960s, some previous land seizures have been returned to the Maoris. Concerns about the decline of the original language have led to schools being taught exclusively in Maori so that it remains a vital part of the culture.
While staying true to cultural ideals and origins, the Maori have also embraced modern social structures which is why they have been successful. They form a significant political power in New Zealand, have influenced the school curriculum and have had their own television network since 2004. They have also actively participated in the UK government structure and hold several seats in the New Zealand Parliament.
Others have come to respect the Maori way of life through a variety of studies and films. Studies of the group date back to the 17th century, but the earlier life of the warring tribes has stabilized into a more modern way of life that remains in line with cultural values. Despite cultural survival, however, they remain the poorest people, as a group, in New Zealand’s population.
Several films have documented aspects of Maori culture. One of the most recent and perhaps most critically acclaimed is Whale Rider, which portrays a young girl’s rise to tribal leadership through the difficult maze that separates Maori from European culture. The film, released in 2003, garnered critical acclaim and numerous awards. It was celebrated by the people who attended the filming, as an accurate account of the separate push between maintaining cultural values and being a vital part of the European world.
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