Maori people

The Maori, Polynesians of Aotearoa, descend from East Polynesian canoe voyages of roughly 1320 to 1350, and in island isolation grew a distinct language, mythology, carving and kapa haka. Iwi tribes and hapu subtribes whakapapa back to named canoes; kumara fields, pa fortresses and greenstone weapons ordered plenty and war. In the 15th century voyagers carried the culture to the Chathams, where it became Moriori. Europeans brought muskets, potatoes and print from the 18th century; the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi promised partnership, then land confiscations and 1860s wars broke it, and 1877 declared the Treaty nothing. Kotahitanga parliaments, Kingitanga kings, kohanga reo nests and Waitangi Tribunal settlements carry the nation forward: haka, moko and te reo now open every New Zealand stage. Iwi and hapu still trace canoes in every meeting house. Moriori cousins still keep the Chatham Islands. Waitangi Day still divides and unites the nation. Carving, myth and dance still evolve separately from other Polynesians.