The crowning of Nga Wai Hono i te po Paki as Māori queen in 2024 refocused world attention on the indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand, not least because it's only the second time in Māori history that a woman has ascended the throne. As queen, she reigns over a people and culture nearly 1,000 years old. Māori tradition is expressed through harmonious song, dramatic dance, and a very unusual greeting. But how did this unique heritage evolve, and what else are the Māori known for?
Click through and find out more about Māori history and custom.