Maori People

By the mid 17th century, Europeans had come across Aotearoa and gave it the name it still bears today, New Zealand. In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the Maori chiefs and Queen Victoria where the Queen guaranteed Maori the right to their lands and all other property and the Crown gained the right to govern. In the Maori version of the treaty, Maori retained their right to tino rangatiratanga. The meaning of this term is still the subject of much debate today, but for many it means the right for Maori to rule themselves as a separate people..

The influx of Europeans after the Treaty lead to war and the loss of life and large tracts of land, leaving many tribes impoverished. By the beginning of the 20th Century the general view was that Maori were dying out and would be unable to survive as a distinct people.

Maori did survive and in fact have now increased their population by ten fold during the last 100 years. Maori language and culture is enjoying a vibrant revival that is set to continue to define the country's future as much as it has defined the past. In fact, the influence of Maori culture has outgrown New Zealand and is now very much a part of global culture. Manaia is very proud to be a part of this future, sharing our unique culture with the rest of the world.