Maori, New Zealander in United States

Introduction / History

New Zealand's history is short in time but long on development. Two prominent peoples have developed there in 700 years. The Polynesian Maori people migrated to New Zealand in the 1400s to take advantage of the fishing and natural resources offered by the South Pacific island. The European explorers began arriving in the 1600s, with mass arrivals and the formation of settlements occurring in the 1800s. New Zealand combines Polynesian and European heritage with unique indigenous characteristics, making it an interesting blend of culture, natural beauty, and opportunity.
New Zealand is located 1200 miles to the southeast of Australia in the southern Pacific Ocean. Made up of three islands in close proximity, New Zealand offers a varied climate and a combination of plains, mountains, valleys, rivers, volcanoes, and ocean beaches. Most live in New Zealand or Australia, but a small number have migrated to one of the farthest place from New Zealand: The United States.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Because of their distance from their homeland, the Mauris seldom get the chance to return to New Zealand. Some of them have connected on a cultural level with Native Americans.
The Maori have a long tradition of group singing and dancing, as well as arts and crafts. Woodcarving is the most notable art of this culture. Most of the Maori have urbanized but may retain certain elements of their traditional history. The New Zealanders of European origin brought their enjoyment of art, music, science, performance, and recreation to the islands.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Maori brought their belief in a plethora of Polynesian gods and goddesses to the islands. The Europeans also brought their customary beliefs to New Zealand. Today, Christian Protestant faiths and Roman Catholicism dominate the native European groups, and the Maori have assimilated into the mainstream religion to a large degree. Some Maori may continue to preserve their ancient belief system.
An oral tradition in Maori culture: "The Maori priests meticulously guarded their ancient historical traditions. Around the 1860s, they shared with one John White a stunning tradition of the Flood, matching the Genesis account in several details. They told that God sent the Flood because "evil prevailed everywhere," and that two righteous men "built a house on the raft and put much food into it." After the Flood, which drowned everyone except those saved on the giant raft, the survivors got off and offered a sacrifice to God, and "then looking up, they beheld the rainbow."

What Are Their Needs?

Maoris in the United States have a strong Christian background. They need the zeal it takes to spread the fame of Christ to those without hope.

Prayer Points

Pray for revival fire to spread to Maori families in the United States.
Pray for them to take up the role of Christ's ambassadors to the lost.
Pray for the Lord to equip and send Maori disciples to make more disciples in the U.S.

Text Source:   Joshua Project