Māori

Bonded by the strong ties of their family clans, the Māori confront threats with ferocious warriors and skilled sailors.

The islands of the present-day New Zealand archipelago were first settled between 1140 and 1250, probably as a result of a change in the direction of the prevailing Pacific winds during the Medieval Warm Period. On these lands, the Māori populations, who mainly settled on the northern island (Te Ika-a-Maui), built a complex society, structured into clans and extended families, whose bonds of solidarity were maintained—and indeed strengthened—by conflicts and wars.

Similarly to other Polynesian origin stories, the Māori considered themselves heirs of a common ancestor, the original progenitor of all the groups residing on the archipelago. Beyond this common heritage, they were distinguished by their membership in a particular tribe (iwi), itself divided into several clans (hapū), which brought together various extended families (whānau). The hapū, which could vary in size from a few dozen to several hundred members, formed the most important political unit in daily life. Organized hierarchically, they were led by chiefs (arikis) and prominent figures from important families (rangatira). Each hapū controlled a well-defined stretch of tribal territory from which families secured their livelihoods. In the best case, this territory extended from the sea to the wooded hills of the coast, and provided the people who farmed it with resources of fish, shellfish, fruit, vegetables, and game. Agriculture, fishing, and construction mobilized clan members to work collectively. The viability of a hapū depended on the ability of the group to defend its territory against invasion or pillaging. Similarly, attacks on clan members by outsiders could be met with armed retaliation and even major conflict, if inter-tribal alliances were mobilized to seek redress. The frequent activation of these solidarity strategies strengthened the group’s bonds, helping ensure its capacity to endure over time.

Although thousands of miles away from the islands of Central Polynesia, the Māori territories remained connected for many centuries to the rest of the Pacific world. For example, the priests of some marae of Te Ika-a-Maui made long journeys to shrines on the Leeward Islands.

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