What Was important to maori?

Answer 1

Family, the land and food sources.

Maori strongly believed in and still do their "tikanga", their traditions and the way that everything was done. Maori had a specific way in completing or doing everyday tasks. From eating, to gathering food, to the preparation of food, to sleeping, and to what they wore. Their was always a reason why for how they did things and some vary depending on the area that maori lived in. Maori believed that "tikanga" was to be upheld at all times as these were like the rules of the society that they lived and created together. This was how maori governed themselves in terms of their law and their ways. If "tikanga" was broken, there were serious consequences that would follow. These consequences were based mostly on spiritual consequences. Maori also held the land important to them as this was their lifeline. The land feed, clothed, nurtured and nourished maori. To maori, land was the hand of life, so it was only common sense for maori to look after and protect the land hence why maori fought so fiercely against one another and against European settlers to retain their land. Family was another important factor to maori. Most maori would marry into other tribal affiliations for the purposes of protection, survival and wealth, wealth being in the amount of land the tribe had and not in monetary terms.

Answer 2

The Maori people place importance on their cultural traditions, including language, art, dance, and storytelling. They also value their connection to the land and Natural Resources, as well as their ancestral knowledge and spirituality. Maintaining strong relationships within their communities and with their ancestors is also significant to the Maori.