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Post by geegeefox on Jan 14, 2008 21:44:31 GMT -5
Maori are the 'host people' of New Zealand. Although described by many as 'Maori' in fact Maori are a composition of many Iwi (Tribes) Hapu (Subtribes) and Whanau units.
Their name is derived from Ma-Uri, which means Children of Heaven.
Originally they were hunters, but soon became peasants, living of agriculture.
Today the approximately 500,000 Maori are mainly living in the cities, but they remain closely connected to their tribes.
Their tribal groupings are derived from the people of each canoe, settling New Zealand in the early times.
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