{"id":1622,"date":"2010-04-29T06:00:56","date_gmt":"2010-04-29T11:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theprofessionalhobo.com\/?p=1622"},"modified":"2024-06-19T07:40:51","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T11:40:51","slug":"maori-culture-in-new-zealand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theprofessionalhobo.com\/maori-culture-in-new-zealand\/","title":{"rendered":"Maori Culture in New Zealand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Maori culture: While visiting Rotorua (both as part of shooting the tv show<\/a> – as well as subsequent visits when staying with friends), I had the opportunity to visit two Maori villages and cultural shows. One was Tamaki Maori Village, and the other was Mitai Maori Village<\/a>. Both were very educational, and the experiences complimented each other nicely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was originally published in 2010. It has since been updated for accuracy of links and content. <\/em>

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rotorua is the hub of Maori culture in New Zealand, and just walking down the street you see evidence of this in a large contingent of Maori locals. And their identity remains strong; even chatting with my heli-sledging<\/a> river guide Geni, she identified her tribe\u2019s history and customs in the context of our conversation. It was at these cultural presentations though, that I gained a sense of the history and traditions of the Maori people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having been descended from the Polynesian islands, I see many similarities between the Maori and the Hawaiians. Where I sense the Maori are unique is in their continuous upholding of language, song, and dance even today. It is not entirely uncommon to see a Maori (male or female) with traditional facial tattoos, and many customary dances and rituals are still taught and practiced in daily life. There are even public schools that teach solely in the Maori language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please check out this short video<\/a> to gain a sense of the Maori culture, song, dance, art, and food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n