They are Polynesians related to the people of Hawaii, Samoa and TahitiThe Maori have more than 500,000 people today, around 15% of New Zealand's total population. Over 90% of Maori live in the North Island. New Zealand became an official colony of Britain in 1841. From 1843 to 1872, European towns were built. There were violent battles between the Maori and Europeans. This is called the New Zealand Wars. After these wars, much land was taken from the Maori. The Maori population went down because of these wars and diseases from Europe.