FACTS

The name māori is said to mean "natural" or "ordinary". When asked by the Pakeha (first white visitors) who they were, the answer was "māori". However, māori often identify themselves according to their tribal, ancestral or regional affiliations. For example, being Ngapuhi identifies you as coming from the upper regions of the North Island.

Flag:

The māori Sovereignty flag - Tino Rangatiratanga Black represents Te Korekore the realm of Potential Being. The long darkness from whence the world emerged. It represents the heavens. The male element is formless, floating and passive. White represents Te Ao Marama the realm of Being and light. It is the physical world, where symbolises purity, harmony and enlightenment. White also symbolises purity,harmony enlightenment, and balance. The Koru, curling frond shape, represents the unfolding of new life, that everything is reborn and continues. It represents renewal and hope for the future. Red represents Te Whei Ao, the realm of Coming into Being. It symbolises the female element. It also represents gestation. Red is Papatuanuku, the Earth Mother, the sustainer of all living things. Red is the colour of earth from which the first human was made.

Capital city : Whanganui ā Tara (Wellington)

Main cities :  Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) largest city, Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), Tauranga (Tauranga), Ōtautahi (Christchurch), Ōtepoti (Dunedin).

Population:  526,281 Māori - figures taken from NZ statistics 2001 (4 million New Zealanders)

Currency:  New Zealand dollar see here for currency conversion

Political structure:  Tribal structure. Under the Treaty of Waitangi governed by the New Zealand Government.

Language:  Te Reo Māori and English

Religion/s:  Mainly Christianity with aspects of indigenous religion Ringatū and Rātana

Location:  South Pacific

Climate:   Regional differences – cold in the south, warmer in the north. Summer December - February, Autumn March - May, Winter June - August, Spring September - November.

Internet:  .māori.nz

Phone calling code:   +64