The Maori arrived in New Zealand from other Polynesian islands over a thousand years ago. They were the first people to live there. They made beautiful wooden buildings with pictures cut into wood. There are about 280,000 Maori today. Maori have brown skin dark brown eyes, and wavy black hair. In 1840, they agreed to become a British colony, government. Most of them live like the white New Zealanders. However, the Maori don’t forget their traditions. Children learn the language, music, and old stories. They have and they learned European ways quickly. Today, there are Maori in all kinds of jobs. They attend schools and universities and become lawyers and scientists. There are Maori in the yearly competitions in speaking, dancing, and singing. The Maori live a comfortable, modern life, but they keep their traditions by passing them to their children.
Questions:
1. Is New Zealand an island country?
-> Yes, it is
2. What is the population of the Maori?
-> There are about 280,000 Maori today
3. What do the Maori look like?
-> They have brown skin dark brown eyes, and wavy black hair
4. How do the Maori live today?
-> ???
5. What do they do at their yearly competitions?
-> They speaking, dancing, and singing at their yearly competitions