1. Introduction to Maori history and culture
Pre-European Maori life and culture in New Zealand/ Aotearoa
The arrival of European people
Wars, government, schooling and decline of Maori
Urbanisation and renaissance of Maori
Challenges facing Maori

2. Pre-European Maori life
Maori people arrived in New Zealand on canoes in about 1300 AD
Maori lived in large groups called tribes or hapu/ iwi
Maori lived near waterways, for the fishing, and built their pa on hillsides, so they could see enemies coming
Men did the fishing and hunting and women cooked the food and made things like baskets for the food

3. Pre-European Maori culture
Maori people spoke the Maori language and did not read or write (it was an oral culture)
War was common between Maori tribes, as they fought for food and land (resources)
Maori had a well-developed culture based on song, dance, oral history and traditional arts
The family and tribe was the most important thing in Maori culture and life

4. The arrival of European people
Europeans first came here to settle after James Cook came here in 1769
When Cook arrived and met Maori, Cook described Maori as curious and intelligent people
More European settlers came after 1800 looking for a better life in New Zealand
Christians began teaching Maori how to read and write from 1814

5. Wars, government
The Queen of England wanted to make New Zealand a colony, so she sent governors to live here and establish control and rule over the land and the Maori people. Maori signed a treaty called The Treaty of Waitangi, which gave England control over New Zealand
Many wars occurred in the 1860s between Maori and European settlers because of the control over the land

6. Schooling and decline of Maori culture
The new New Zealand government made all children go to school from 1877
Maori language was not allowed in schools, only English
Many Maori children and families stopped speaking Maori
The British culture began to dominate Maori life and Maori lost many of their traditional ways of life

7. Maori urbanisation
After World War Two Maori began moving from their traditional tribal living in the countryside, to going to find work in the cities
Many Maori saw this as a loss of traditional Maori living and culture

8. Maori values changed In 1940-1950 Maori had on average 15-16 children
In Maori had 7-8 children
Today Maori have an average of 2.5 children
In % of Maori lived in cities
Today over 85% of Maori live in cities

9. Maori cultural and language renaissance
From 1960 urban Maori began to protest against the government mainly for the land that had been taken from Maori
From 1970 Maori began to write stories and express themselves through art to the mainstream and Maori language was introduced into schools
Witi Ihimaera was one of the most important story writers to write at this time

10. Challenges facing Maori
Maori people have more problems with alcohol, drugs, violence and imprisonment than other groups in New Zealand
They have more health problems and die earlier
They have higher unemployment and lower success at school
However, the culture and language is growing and is an extremely important part of New Zealand culture and life today