Maori Rock Art

Maori History: The first inhabitants of New Zealand, known today as the Maori, were thought to have come from Eastern Polynesia over 1000 years ago. The Maori first settled on the coasts of the North and South Island and practiced fishing, hunting, and gardening. Over time, the Maori detached themselves from the traditional art style of Eastern Polynesia and developed their own artistic style, easily seen in the creation of their signature carving style and weaponry.

A steady increase in the Maori population eventually led to increased competition and warfare between tribes for land and natural resources. As a result, the Maori built defensive structures known as pas, which can still be seen on the archaeological landscape today. Interaction with foreign European traders and missionaries in New Zealand also led to warfare and a loss of traditional Maori society. Many Maori beliefs and practices were discontinued after their assimilation into European society and warfare over land rights and unfamiliar disease led to a decrease in their population. (1)

Traditional Maori Art: Traditional Maori art was produced using the raw materials found around New Zealand's natural landscape. The Maori used materials such as wood, bone, and shell as the basic canvases for their artistic creations and before their introduction to European metal tools, the Maori constructed their own tools for scraping, carving, and painting. Red, black, and white were the most commonly-used colors in Maori art and often symbolized certain social rankings within Maori society (2). Traditional Maori art incorporated symmetrical curves and spirals as well as figurative images of human ancestors or god-like forms (tiki), bird-like creatures (manaia), merman or sea monsters (marakihau), and lizards (moko) (3).

The Maori had many art forms, including carved wooden canoes and sculpture, personal adornment and clothing, elaborately designed weapons, and rock art (1). All art produced by the Maori was created for a practical or symbolic reason and often depicted ancestor figures and spirits in a curvilinear style (3). Over time, the more symmetrical and simple designs characteristic of traditional Maori art style transformed into a more 'flamboyant' artistic style (4).

Maori Rock Art': The majority of Maori rock art can be found in the areas of North Otago and South Canterbury. Traditional Maori rock art was either scratched into the surface of the rock or painted using hand-made tools and long-lasting inks (5). The images depicted in Maori rock art and their purposes for production are often ambiguous or unknown (4). The carved and painted art often depicted curvilinear designs and figurative scenes of Maori oral tales of myth and legend. Such scenes included, but were not limited to, the story of Maori creation which involved the separation of the Sky Father and the Earth Mother by their children (6).

Takiora, North Otago:

Maerewhenue, North Otago:

Preservation and Education:

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