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'''Maoris''', the natives of [[New Zealand]].They descended from an early [[Polynesia]]n race.  The exact date of their arrival to New Zealand is unclear but it is estimated they arrived between 700-1000AD<ref>Mike King, ''A history of New Zealand''</ref>.  Representatives of the Maori gave up governorship of New Zealand by signing the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.  There was however controversy as to the nature of the rights they were giving up over New Zealand.  The English and the Maori versions of the treaty differed on this point.  The Maori version stated that the Maori would give Kawanatanga (literally "governorship") whereas in the English version, sovereignty was ceded.  This mistranslation has had ramifications for the Maori people as did wholesale confiscation of Maori land by the crown in the decades following the treaty.  This confiscation of lands provoked the "Maori land wars"  in the 1860's and 1870's.  

'''Māoris''' are the native people of [[New Zealand]].They descended from an early [[Polynesia]]n race.  According to legend, they came from the island of Hawaiki which some The exact date of their arrival to New Zealand is unclear but it is estimated they arrived between 700-1000AD<ref>Mike King, ''A history of New Zealand''</ref>.  Representatives of the Maori gave up governorship of New Zealand by signing the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.  There was however controversy as to the nature of the rights they were giving up over New Zealand.  The English and the Maori versions of the treaty differed on this point.  The Maori version stated that the Maori would give Kawanatanga (literally "governorship") whereas in the English version, sovereignty was ceded.  This mistranslation has had ramifications for the Maori people as did wholesale confiscation of Maori land by the crown in the decades following the treaty.  This confiscation of lands provoked the "Maori land wars"  in the 1860's and 1870's.  

They are distinguished for their bravery.  The Maori Battalion was a corps made up of Maori soldiers that distinguished itself in the Second World War.  They excel in rugby union and rugby league, traditionally making up a large presence in All Black (rugby union) and Kiwi (league) teams.  Their presence in the All Blacks was often controversial when they toured the South Africa.  Maori's were excluded until 1970, when the protest group "Halt All Racist Tours" (Hart) pressured the rugby union to demand that Maori players be accepted.<ref>http://www.sarugby.com/news/News/article/sid=4052.html</ref>

They are distinguished for their bravery.  The Maori Battalion was a corps made up of Maori soldiers that distinguished itself in the Second World War.  They excel in rugby union and rugby league, traditionally making up a large presence in All Black (rugby union) and Kiwi (league) teams.  Their presence in the All Blacks was often controversial when they toured the South Africa.  Maori's were excluded until 1970, when the protest group "Halt All Racist Tours" (Hart) pressured the rugby union to demand that Maori players be allowed to tour.<ref>http://www.sarugby.com/news/News/article/sid=4052.html</ref>  

They are overwhelmingly Christian <ref>http://www2.stats.govt.nz/domino/external/web/prod_serv.nsf/htmldocs/Census+snapshot:+Maori</ref>, having been converted from their myths and legends by early British missionaries.     

They are overwhelmingly Christian <ref>http://www2.stats.govt.nz/domino/external/web/prod_serv.nsf/htmldocs/Census+snapshot:+Maori</ref>, having been converted from their myths and legends by early British missionaries.