Maori Healing Europe

The history of New Zealand began approximately between 700 and 1000 years before the arrival of the first settlers.

In the years 952 to 1150 BC. the first Polynesian ancestors of the Maori came to New Zealand. They named it “Aotearoa”, which means: “The land of the long white cloud”.

The first European explorers arrived in 1642 on the island and from the 18th century on the country was regularly visited by sailors, explorers, missionaries, traders and adventurers.

Neuseeland

In 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. The British Crown and Maori leaders agreed that New Zealand would become part of the Common Wealth of Nations and that is still the case until today.

Nowadays 14% of the population are Maori. The Maori language and culture has a significant impact on all aspects of life in New Zealand.

The culture of the Maori was mainly transmitted orally and rich in stories and legends depicted in their carvings. The Maori story of the creation describes how the world was created by the violent separation of Ranginui (the heavenly father) and Papatuanuku (the earth mother) through their children. Many Maori carvings and works of art describe this fight.

The Creation of New Zealand is described in the legend of Maui. This god was a bold impostor, who managed to convince the sun to make the days longer. However, he achieved his greatest fame when he fished the North Island, as Te Ika a Maui (the pull of the fish) is described.

A view of the North Island shows its similarity with a fish. The Maori believe that the high north is the tail of the fish and the Port of Wellington is its mouth. The Maori describe the South Island as the Waka (canoe) and Stewart Island (Rakiura) as the Punga (anchor) of Maui.