Māori culture

Tikanga Māori: the Māori way of doing things

Generally speaking, tikanga are Māori behaviours or ways of doing things. It's about behaving in a way that is culturally respectful or appropriate. Most people prefer to act in ways that are respectful to others. We've put together this list of tikanga to help you understand Māori culture and to help you avoid any uncomfortable moments where you're not sure what to do. It's important to understand that because Māori culture has a strong influence on New Zealand culture overall, these ways of behaving are not separate to general New Zealand culture and customs. These tikanga are common throughout New Zealand. However, different iwi (tribes), hapū (sub tribes) and marae (Māori community meeting places) might have their own variations.