The original inhabitants of New Zealand are the Maori. The ancestors of the Maori migrated to New Zealand some 1000 years ago, when Polynesian sailors found this land during one of their expeditions. This expedition sailed south from the island of Hawaiki. When the leader of the expedition, Kupe, saw the land in front of him, it appeared as a huge white cloud. He then called the land Aotearoa, or Land of the Long White Cloud.
The Maori have a rich tradition of myths and legends. Click here to learn about the Maori myth of creation. Then click on the link "maori" and read and listen to the story of the Maori myth, their culture and pantheon and then do this activity.
Read this short text that summarizes the history of New Zealand.