New Zealand Maori Culture and Traditions

Hongi - The Traditional Maori Greeting

As a Licensed Immigration Adviser I want to be prepared to answer the potential question from my clients, “What is it like in New Zealand?” Being an immigrant myself, I understand the significance of introducing and encouraging my future clients to know about the 'essence' of New Zealand culture and society, including the customs and traditions (tikanga) of New Zealand’s Maori (the tangata whenua), and an appreciation of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. Hence as part of my New Zealand Culture and Traditions Resource Kit, I suggest the following reading to all my prospective clients and readers interested to know more about the absolutely beautiful and fascinating culture of the Maori. This will be continually updated through future blogs and my own experiences as a current student of a Level 4 course in Te Ara Reo Maori (the Maori language). So do stay tuned as I am very overwhelmed by the aroha (affection) and manakitanga (hospitality) of my Maori whanau (family) and will keep sharing these wonderful moments. Hopefully these anecdotes will strengthen your resolve to make Aotearoa New Zealand your home too and seek to make some friends among the tangata whenua when you arrive here.

   

About the Maori - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Considering most people anticipating being in New Zealand have little or no information about the Maori, this is my first suggested reading to get a broad insight into the world of the Maori. Getting a better understanding of the Maori is a vital step for anyone who are considering New Zealand as a destination. And hence this reading is strongly recommended.    

About the Maori - From The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

‘Te ara’ in Māori means ‘the pathway’. Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand offers many pathways to understanding New Zealand. It is a comprehensive guide to the country’s peoples, natural environment, history, culture, economy, institutions and society. The section on the Maori in this website gives a more precise insight and from a more New Zealand perspective as it is a government website. It is a good follow on to the broader reading from Wikipedia in step one above and hence I encourage you to read it.

A traditional Maori welcome at the Auckland Airport

Since most new people arriving into New Zealand will be coming in through the Auckland Airport, they are bound to experience their first physical interaction with Maori culture and tradition when they approach and walk under the beautifully carved Tomokanga (gateway) and listen to the Karanga. Most people will not understand the significance of the welcome and to me this is a wasted opportunity not to immerse themselves into the ‘essence of New Zealand’ right at the entry point. So I will encourage all those considering an entry into New Zealand to read about this traveller’s experience. While all people may not come through Auckland Airport this reading will still serve as a good insight into what a traditional Maori welcome will be. To lend a fun element I also encourage you to listen to the ‘Haere mai song.’   

Te Reo Maori - The basics of the Maori language

Since basic Maori words are such an embedded part and parcel of being in New Zealand, I encourage all those considering an entry into New Zealand to read about the basics of the Maori language. Anyone who does this will have a better understanding of the plaque embedded into the tomokanga at the Auckland Airport and also commonly found at many other places in the country. This will also serve you well later as Maori terms like ‘Aotearoa’, ‘Nau mai’, ‘Haere mai’, ‘Kia ora’ are so intrinsic to a life in New Zealand. From my own experience (prior to becoming a tauira ie a student of Te Reo Maori) I always wondered about what ‘Haere mai’ posted at the start of each city limit meant and ‘Haere ra’ when leaving a city. So if you are planning to be in New Zealand, I encourage you to read the basic Maori words which will prepare and enable you to appreciate more the overall New Zealand experience starting with the welcome. 

The Treaty of Waitangi

The Treaty of Waitangi remains one of the cornerstones of New Zealand of the past as well as the present and future. Because this is such a significant document, I encourage all prospects planning to migrate to New Zealand to read about it and get a better understanding and what it means to all those who consider New Zealand as a destination.

While the five resources mentioned above are a good starting point to acclimatise and sensitise you to New Zealand culture and traditions, I will continually update the resources and share them right here in this blog. So do stay tuned.

Ngā mihi mō te pānui i tēnei (Thanks for reading this)

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Picture explanation courtesy Wikipedia: A hongi is a traditional Māori greeting in New Zealand. It is done by pressing one's nose and forehead (at the same time) to another person at an encounter.It is used at traditional meetings among Māori people and on major ceremonies. It serves a similar purpose to a formal handshake in western culture, and indeed a hongi is often used in conjunction with one. In the hongi, the ha (or breath of life), is exchanged and intermingled. The breath of life can also be interpreted as the sharing of both party's souls.

Picture courtesy: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/271035/hongi