Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand.
Although how they came to New Zealand still remains a mystery, it is thought that they came from parts of Southwestern Polynesia over 1000 years ago. By the 18th Century the Maori had a rich and complex society which celebrated their hertitage. They called this new homeland "Aotearoa" or "Land of the Great White Cloud".

Unfortunately, the arrival of Europeans quickly changed things. The introduction of alcohol, tobacco, new diseases - plus a demand by Europeans for shrunken heads - soon caused the native New Zealand population to drop to just a quarter of what they had been. By 1900 the Maori population dropped even farther to a mere 42,000 and was mixed with European blood. Today, there are no full blooded Maori left.

However, their descendents do live on and continue to keep alive the stories and traditions of those original, native New Zealand people. Today's Maori have and express a passion for their heritage, culture, and legends.

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