Immigrants from England and Ireland have influenced various aspects of Māori cultural values, particularly through the introduction of theological issues such as Christianity. Despite this, the Māori people continue to view their allegiance to their tribal groups as a crucial part of their identity. On the other hand, cultures from the United States, Australia, Asia, and other European nations have also influenced New Zealand’s culture. As a result, non-Māori cultures are also evident in major cultural festivals around the world, including the large Polynesian cultural festivals, which have now become annual events in Auckland, North Island, New Zealand.
Māori as New Zealand’s Diplomatic Protocol
The Māori people refer to themselves as ‘Tāngata Whenua,’ meaning "people of the land." They place particular importance on matters related to nature, both land and sea. They uphold traditional values that are deeply ingrained in their culture. These values are presented to the international community through traditional arts and skills such as Haka and Hongi, Ta Moko, Waita, carving, Poi, and even weaving. In 1840, after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the Māori lost their land and experienced a decline in their culture. New Zealand took responsibility for the treaty and began restoring Māori rights in the 1960s, a period regarded as the Māori renaissance.
As part of the Māori cultural revival, performing arts, weaving, crafts, and music began to be practiced more widely. This era saw the emergence of many Māori artists and had a profound impact on New Zealand’s international image. Much of Māori carving features realistic depictions of humans, often with three fingers carved in detail. Māori paintings are also notable, often depicted as ‘Noble Savages’—honorable people with exotic beauty and friendly indigenous characteristics. Māori arts have garnered international attention and recognition, with several Māori artworks now housed in prominent museums such as the British Museum in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Furthermore, Māori art has been featured in several exhibitions, including the Biennale in Venice in 2001 and Paradise Now in New York in 2004. The 2016 film Moana further illustrated Māori history as the original Polynesian people, introducing their culture to a global audience.
Māori culture has had a significant impact on New Zealand’s image in the international arena. Internal actors within the New Zealand government also play a role in preserving Māori culture, frequently incorporating the Māori language into parliamentary proceedings. New Zealand’s image, shaped through the projection of Māori culture, has attracted the attention of other nations, encouraging them to collaborate with the country. When delegations from other countries visit New Zealand for partnership purposes, the country welcomes its distinguished guests by showcasing Māori performing arts, music, crafts, and traditions. This unique Māori cultural display during diplomatic visits is often documented by the media in the form of news reports, further enhancing the popularity and recognition of Māori culture worldwide.
From Haka to Hongi
One of the most well-known elements of Māori culture, often performed as part of New Zealand's diplomatic protocol, is the tradition of Haka and Hongi. Haka is a traditional Māori dance, originally a war dance, characterized by energetic movements, strong facial expressions, and rhythmic chants. Although often associated with war, Haka is also performed to welcome guests, express unity, and celebrate significant events. In New Zealand’s diplomatic protocol, Haka is used to convey a warm welcome and respect to visitors.
Hongi, on the other hand, is a unique Māori tradition performed after Haka, in which two people touch their noses and foreheads as a sign of respect and intimacy. In Māori culture, Hongi represents the exchange of the breath of life and a spiritual connection. Together with Haka, Hongi is used to greet important guests as a symbol of unity and acceptance.
On March 19, 2018, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana, along with their delegation, made a state visit to New Zealand. Upon their arrival in New Zealand, they were warmly welcomed and received by Gregory Baughen, the Official Secretary to the Governor-General of New Zealand. During the welcoming ceremony, Joko Widodo participated in the tradition of Hongi by touching noses and foreheads with Māori elder Piri Sciacia. The Hongi tradition during this state visit helped establish a sense of familiarity between Indonesia and New Zealand, facilitating their cooperation and diplomatic relations.
The Hongi tradition was also performed when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited New Zealand. After the Hongi, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their entourage were welcomed with the Powhiri ceremony, which included a Haka performance by the New Zealand Armed Forces. This ceremonial welcome was a symbolic gesture of respect and unity, showcasing Māori culture and New Zealand’s hospitality during their official visit.
In 2018, former U.S. President Barack Obama visited New Zealand, where he was welcomed with Māori traditions, from Haka to Hongi. This highlights how crucial Māori culture is in fostering international relations and serving as a diplomatic protocol for New Zealand. Such protocols not only symbolize respect for guests but also reaffirm the strong cultural identity of the Māori people in New Zealand’s diplomacy. Through these traditions, New Zealand emphasizes its cultural heritage while strengthening its diplomatic ties with other nations.
In addition, New Zealand has made efforts to establish cooperative relations with China amidst the geopolitical dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region. In 2021, New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nanaia Mahuta, introduced a foreign policy framework called Kaupapa Māori (the Māori collective vision), which is based on four core Tikanga Māori (Māori practices and customs). These include: (1) Manaakitanga (hospitality), (2) Whanaungatanga (connectedness), (3) Mahitahi and Kotahitanga (unity through collaboration), and (4) Kaitiakitanga (guardianship and intergenerational well-being). This policy was crafted with New Zealand’s desire to strengthen trade partnerships with China. However, it is also important to note that New Zealand maintains a strong security relationship with the United States, balancing these alliances within a complex geopolitical landscape.
The Māori foreign policy was realized in 2023 when a high-ranking Chinese official visited New Zealand, where they were welcomed with a Haka performance and the tradition of Hongi. By 2024, New Zealand’s export activity to China, facilitated by the Free Trade Area cooperation, saw a significant increase, rising from 5.8% to 28.15%. Through the Māori cultural traditions as New Zealand’s diplomatic protocol with China, a strong bond has been established between the two nations, which are now referred to as ‘Taniwha Naga.’ This term symbolizes a protector or guardian who holds dominion over rivers, seas, land, and territories, further solidifying the strong and harmonious relationship between New Zealand and China.
