Māori history
Māori are tangata whenua — people of the land. They came to Aotearoa from Polynesia in the 13th century and created a new language and culture.
Māori origins
Research indicates that Māori originated in eastern Polynesia.
Read about māori history on the Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand:
- Māori origins and arrivals
- Pacific migrations
- Early Māori explorers
- Pre-European society
- Māori history in brief
European settlement
Abel Tasman’s arrival in 1642 is the first firm evidence of Europeans reaching New Zealand.
Read about European settlement on the Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand:
Treaty of Waitangi — te Tiriti o Waitangi
The Treaty is New Zealand’s founding document made between the British Crown and about 540 Māori rangatira (chiefs).
- Explore the Treaty of Waitangi — Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
- Treaty of Waitangi — NZ History
- The meaning of the Treaty — Waitangi Tribunal
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds
The original Treaty documents are at He Tohu at the National Library in Wellington. You can view the Treaty any time during opening hours. If you’re a large group or want a guide, you can book a free guided tour.
For more information, visit the National Library website:
Who to contact for more help
If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact one of the following agencies.
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Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Contact and agency details -
Department of Conservation
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