The long and intriguing story of the origine of the indigenous Maori people can be traced back to the 13th century, the mythical homeland Hawaiki, Eastern Polynesia. Due to centuries of isolation, the Maori established a distinct society with characteristic art, a separate language and unique mythology. Defining aspects of Maori traditional culture include art, dance, legends, tattoos and community. While the arrival of European colonists in the 18th centure had a profound impact on the Maori way of life, many aspects of traditional society have survived into the 21th century.

Munzin Chowdhury (C) and other enthusiasts perform yoga in Times Square during an event marking the summer solstice on June 21, 2011 in New York City. Thousands of yogis will attend the free day-long event in Manhattan on the longest day of the year. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A model (C) looks at her mobile phone while backstage before the araisara Sara Arai Collection show during China Fashion Week in Beijing on March 27, 2015. China Fashion Week runs from March 24 to March 31. (Photo by Wang Zhao/AFP Photo)

A woman with a Hello Kitty tattoo waits in line to attend the Hello Kitty Con, the first-ever Hello Kitty fan convention, held at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA Thursday, October 30, 2014, in Los Angeles. The convention was held to honor the character's 40th birthday. (Photo by Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

Claire McGuire (C) smiles after winning the women's snowboard division of the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014. Skiers and snowboarders competed for a chance to win one of four season's passes. (Photo by David Ryder/Reuters)

Shocking footage of a low-altitude flight through Brisbane's skyscrapers in United Kingdom on Thursday, September 23, 2021. The Royal Australian Air Force C-17 cargo jet was spotted on a practice run ahead of the annual Sunsuper Riverfire event, which took place on Saturday night. (Photo by The Mega Agency)

A tourist pauses for photos with her mask on at Sensoji Temple Thursday, January 30, 2020, in Tokyo. The country began evacuating Japanese citizens on Wednesday from the Chinese city Wuhan hardest-hit by the virus. (Photo by Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

This handout picture taken and released by Taipei Zoo on November 2, 2022 showing Chinese panda experts Wei Ming (L) and Wu Honglin (C) checking on sick male panda Tuan Tuan at the zoo in Taipei. (Photo by Handout/Taipei Zoo via AFP Photo)