The Maori tribe belongs to which country?

The Maori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. Their ancestors arrived in New Zealand from eastern Polynesia in several waves of canoe voyages, around 1250-1300 CE. They call New Zealand "Aotearoa", meaning "land of the long white cloud". Today, Maori make up about 17-18% of New Zealand's population.

Key features of Maori culture:

Their language, "te reo Maori", is an official language of New Zealand (since 1987), along with New Zealand Sign Language; English is the main language in practice.

"Haka" is a traditional ceremonial dance or challenge, performed with vigorous movements, foot-stamping, chanting and fierce facial expressions. It is world-famous because New Zealand's national rugby team, the All Blacks, perform the "Ka Mate" haka before matches.

"Ta moko" is the traditional Maori art of tattooing, especially on the face.

The "marae" is a sacred meeting ground in front of the "wharenui" (meeting house), the centre of community life.

The "hongi" is a traditional greeting in which two people press their noses and foreheads together.

Maori wood carving, greenstone (pounamu) carving and weaving are famous arts.

The Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) was signed on 6 February 1840 between the British Crown and many Maori chiefs. It is considered New Zealand's founding document, and 6 February is celebrated as Waitangi Day, New Zealand's national day.

Other indigenous peoples:

• Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders: Australia.
• First Nations and Inuit: Canada.
• iTaukei (Fijians): Fiji.
• Native Hawaiians: Hawaii (USA).

Why not the other options?

• ✗Australia's indigenous people are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• ✗Canada's indigenous peoples include the First Nations, Inuit and Metis.
• ✗Fiji's indigenous people are the iTaukei.