The Maori people are the original inhabitants of New Zealand.
They are Polynesian and their name means ‘Children of Heaven’.
They speak English as well as Maori and are friendly and kind.
Today, most Maori people follow a European lifestyle, but they still keep the customs and traditions of their culture alive.
One of the most impressive Maori is the haka dance.
It is a war dance but the Maori now perfom it on special occasions such as when welcoming visitors.
They dance in the traditional Maori costume called kakahu.
This includes a grass skirt and a belt.
The belts have different designs on them that represent elements of nature, such as the waves of a river or the stars in the sky.
The Maori people are famous for their tattoos or ta moko.
Men wear them all over their faces and woman on their chin and lips.
The tattoos are not simple drawings.
Each one is unique and they tell us who the person is or which tribe they belong to.