It is believed that the first inhabitants of New Zealand were people from Southeast Asia who migrated eastward from island to island until they reached the Central Pacific. From there, they continued southward until they reached New Zealand, estimated to have occurred around 750 B.C.
They named New Zealand “Land of the long white cloud” or “Aotearoa”.
The Maori people arrived in New Zealand around 750 AD.
According to legend, a second group of Maori arrived in the 13th and 14th centuries in seven canoes and settled in the northern parts of the North and South Islands.
They lived in fortified towns built on rocks or slopes and surrounded by wooden fences to protect themselves from enemies. These fortified towns were called “pa”.
The Maori people subsisted on fishing and hunting. They were also called “moa hunters” because they hunted the moa, a large, flightless bird that once inhabited New Zealand.
They lived in family units and shared the land. Culturally, they are known for their elaborate wood carvings and textiles.