The Maori are descendants of Polynesian peoples. Estimates differ but it is generally thought that the first Polynesian canoes with Maori settlers landed on the New Zealand shores around 1000 AD. According to various sources these highly skilled seafarers came from the homeland called Hawaiki. Nowadays better known as the eastern region of Polynesia such as Tahiti and the Cook Islands.
Migrating birds flying the same direction each year would have been an indication for the Polynesians that other, unexplored, lands existed. This sparkled the idea of exploring new worlds and …

Tekoteko are wooden carved human-like figures commonly representing Maori tribal ancestors and in general protection and guardianship. Historically these figures were placed on the gable of (meeting) houses (wharenui) but there are also freestanding tekoteko.
The tekoteko on the photo right represents Kupe, according to Maori legends the discoverer of New Zealand. This tekoteko is situated on the ‘Te Whare Runanga Marae’ meeting house at Waitangi. (Waitangi is the place where several Maori chiefs signed the Waitangi Treaty with the British Crown in 1840.)
Courtesy photo  by olearyci | Creative …