New Zealand

Learn what to wear to a pōwhiri, with respectful outfit ideas, dress codes, and marae etiquette.

Discover New Zealand’s iconic foods, Māori traditions, and regional flavors worth trying.

The remarkable story of Ngāti Whātua, from their ancestral roots to the founding of Auckland and the historic fight to reclaim their land.

Kirituhi is a Māori-inspired tattoo practice for people without Māori whakapapa, created through kōrero with an artist. Unlike tā moko, it does not represent Māori ancestry or iwi/hapū identity. This guide covers its meaning, motifs, design process, placement, and respectful practice.

Discover the meaning of pōwhiri, what to expect during a Māori welcome ceremony, and how to participate respectfully in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Moko kauae carries a story that cannot be understood from its visible patterns alone. Individual designs vary across iwi, practitioners, and wearers, and their significance is shaped through relationships between the wearer, whānau, and carver rather than a fixed set of symbols. The tradition also has a complex history, surviving colonial suppression and experiencing a strong revival during the Māori Renaissance. For visitors, understanding moko kauae also means knowing how to interact respectfully, including avoiding unwanted attention, physical contact, or copying its designs.

Haka is a living Māori performance tradition that combines chanting, rhythmic movements, foot-stamping, body percussion, and facial expressions. While often associated with rugby and warfare, haka is also performed for welcomes, celebrations, funerals, and other important occasions. The article explores its origins, the story of Ka Mate, key movements, and how visitors can engage with haka respectfully and appropriately.

Discover Ngāti Kahungunu through its Tākitimu ancestry, vast eastern North Island rohe, 400+ hapū, influential leaders, and thriving Māori communities today.

Waikato-Tainui is a major Māori iwi at the heart of the Māori monarchy, with a living culture shaped by the Tainui waka, Waikato River, raupatu, marae and generations of tribal leadership.

See how Kiwis celebrate Halloween with costumes, trick-or-treating, events, and local traditions.

Explore the story of Ngāi Tahu, from their ancestral origins and journey south to their deep connections with Te Waipounamu, whakapapa, mahinga kai, pounamu, and cultural heritage today.