The Pacific Rat is said to have arrived in Aotearoa around 1000 years ago. New research has found evidence of earlier arrivals of rats, perhaps even up to a thousand years earlier than was previously known. Not known for their swimming ability, it is said to have arrived with the earliest Polynesian voyages.  

Archeological finds show that during what is termed the "Warm Waihirere Period" (1270-1350AD) around 1300 AD a large submarine volcanic eruption spewed ash and pumice into the atmosphere lining many shorelines and rivers. This research shows that even though there is evidence of settlement in Aotearoa below this level of pumice going back to about 1050 AD (Patrick J. Grant) the majority of Mäori arrived here directly after this time (directly above this level of pumice). 
Earliest arrivals here seem to have been in the South Island (Te Waipounamu) first, including the Chatham Islands (Moriori) and Waitaha, but the majority of later settlers landed and made home, the North Island (Te-ika-o-Maui).  

Mäori took quickly to bird snaring and fishing and this was the staple lifestyle for about 150 years, perhaps causing a minor population explosion (The Nation Site register records at least 6000 Pa sites in Aotearoa, most before the arrival of the Pakeha). 
Eventually these and other easy accessible food sources became so scarce that Mäori had to quickly adapt to a new source of staple food or face starvation. Adding to this was a major change in weather patterns (1400-1500 AD) where temperatures fell to an almost all time low. Southern winds increased drying the land causing widespread drought. Strong winds caused the stripping of the trees in many of the large forests which inevitably lead to large natural forest fires destroying many of our native forests and animals/ birds including the remnant of Moa left in isolated areas. Some have called this a mini ice age.  

So foraging for fern roots and growing larger plantations of Kumara, Taro and whole summers of seashore fishing became the order of the day. Fish were caught and smoke-dried for storage. As the easily accessible bird life became scarce, deeper foraging for birds caused a change in Mäori attitudes toward the food supply as there was a growing need to store and preserve food over harsh winter periods. Houses were built to store through the long winter months, precious food to last till summer. 

This lead to larger areas of land being needed for planted and for the first time in Mäori history, was there a need to procure defined areas of land as families had now become small tribes. Eventually this lead to feuds and sometimes war between areas causing the honing and eventual mastering of the art of war and warrior-ship. Maori villages quickly adapted to the defending styled environment, building palisades, watch towers and digging trenches around the new styled forts. Tactic's were employed in battle and our Tupuna (ancestors) soon showed they were masters of strategy and intelligent economic offense and defense. 

Temperatures rose again around 1500-1600 AD causing much heavy rainfall and gales destroying forest and vegetation. Flooding increased and coastal winds made coastal dwelling uncomfortable. Much marine life/shell fish in coastal areas were severely damaged by this change in climate and food sources became even more scarce. Moving even further inland, many Mäori again re-adapted to new climates and living conditions.  
 

Mäori theology and philosophy relating to Io is as varied as there are Hapu (subtribes). Whatahoro's writings concerning the teachings of Te Matorohanga and Nepia Pohuhu are extensive and show a strong understanding of Io by Kahunungunu. There are also other written accounts of Io in Waikato, Ngai Tahu and Nga Puhi. This does not mean that there was a universal understanding about Io, some Hapu have no recollection ever of such a supreme being but this goes to show how diverse Mäori society was. 
To read more on Io, from a theological standpoint go here to the website by the Late Michael Shirres.  

Arrival of the Europeans  
The first European explorers arrived in Aotearoa in search of a large continent thought to exist somewhere in the South Pacific Ocean. First to arrive was Able Tasman in the mid 1600's but in general most people refer to the European discovery of Aotearoa as been accredited to Capt. James Cook towards the end of the 17th century.  
From this came the flow of foreigners to Aotearoa that was to never stop.  

Initial contacts were filled with misunderstandings and some skirmishes broke out between the Mäori and the new arrivals (Maori were at this time, still engaged in inter-tribal feuds). In his novel "Behind the Tattooed Face, Heretaunga Pat Baker describes an incident where a warrior after inspecting a rifle belonging to one of the English sailors, accidentally cuts himself on the bayonet. Since his blood is now on the rifle and him being a tapu person, it was only fitting that he take the rifle and bury it. Of course this was not in agreement with the owner of the rifle thinking he was trying to steal it, promptly shot him. 

However not all first contacts were like this and Mäori soon became accustomed to these strange looking people and began to invite them to their villages. 
Click here to read about the arrival of Capt Cook  
 

Read more about the Treaty here. 

Frustrations arose immediately regarding the many incursions by the British colonists into traditional Mäori territories.  
 

War spread from the north to further south in Taranaki war of 1860-1861.  
From there came the invasion of Waikato leading to war from 1863-1864 and culminating in the 1868-1869 wars of Titokowaru and Te Kooti. 

This was to be the bleakest time in Maori/Pakeha relations, seeing many villages wiped out. Some have termed this era as the "New Zealand Civil War". 
Large areas of land were confiscated as a result of this war seeing many Maori unfairly dispossessed of their land and giving the Government the land they desperately needed. 
 

The Mäori population fell from about 120,000 in 1769 to 42,000 in 1896. In the late 19th century, European settlers spoke of the Maori as a "dying race." Writers like Elston Best wrote from a position that the Maori were headed for certain extinction. 
There was also very little medical assistance given at that time to Maori who were still mainly rural dwellers so even when assistance was available, it usually came too late. 

Apirana Ngata with the help of many others and the "Young Maori Party", were able to influence legislation that would see medical assistance given to the badly ravaged Mäori and cause Pakeha doctors to treat Mäori patients. This swift action and others like this as well as many of the diseases running their course, became the turning point in the darkest time in Mäori/Päkehä history that would see the Mäori people make a come-back. 

The Young Maori Party quickly became adept at working within Western institutions, including the New Zealand Parliament, to achieve Mäori aims. However, some of the leaders of this party also supported many European attitudes and activities, including the purchase of Mäori land by settlers. Ultimately, this led to their rejection by many Mäori. 

Other Mäori leaders soon emerged who worked exclusively in their own tribes. A new generation of tribe-based leaders began social and cultural work and achieved many practical advances in sanitation, education, and economic activities. In the late 1920s, carving, oratory, and other Mäori arts flourished. 
 

The end of the 1990's has seen a move by Mäori to using the internet's many services for creating online Maori communities as well. Ross Himona's Kahungunu list and the Tino Rangatiratanga Newsgroup, NZ Mäori Internet Society are just to name a few.