The Maoris are the local Polynesian people of New Zealand. The Maoris originated with settlers from eastern Polynesia, who arrived in New Zealand by boat around 1150 AD. Over several centuries in separation, the Polynesian settlers developed a unique culture, with their own language and special crafts and performing arts. The early Maoris formed tribal(部落的）groups based on eastern Polynesian social customs and organizations.
The arrival of Europeans, starting in the 17th century, brought great changes to the Maori way of life. The Maoris gradually learned from the Western society and culture. The primary relations between the Maoris and Europeans were largely kind, and the two cultures coexisted peacefully. Rising stress over land sales led to conflict in the 1860s. Great social changes, decades of conflict and introduced diseases made the number of the Maoris fall greatly. By the start of the 20th century, the Maori population had begun to recover, and efforts had been made to increase their standing in wider New Zealand society and achieve social justice. Traditional Maori culture therefore enjoyed a great revival.
In 2013, there were about 600,000 Maoris in New Zealand, making up 15% of the national population. They are the second-largest ethnic group in New Zealand, after European New Zealanders. In addition, more than 120,000 Maoris live in Australia. The Maori language is still spoken to some degree by about a fifth of all Maoris, representing 3% of the total population. Many New Zealanders regularly use Maori words and expressions, such as "kia ora", while speaking English.
Many Maoris face big economic and social problems, with lower life expectancies and incomes compared with other New Zealand ethnic groups. They suffer higher levels of crime, health problems, and educational underachievement. Some measures have been taken to aim at closing the gap between the Maoris and other New Zealanders.
