Maori

Definition

The Maori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand, who have a unique culture, language, and traditions. In the context of civil rights and constitutionalism, they represent a group whose rights and sovereignty have been a central issue in New Zealand's political development.

Related terms

Treaty of Waitangi: An agreement made in 1840 between British colonisers and several Maori chiefs to bring New Zealand into the British Empire while supposedly guaranteeing Maori rights to their land and granting them the same rights as British subjects.

Indigenous Rights: Rights that recognize the specific position of indigenous peoples around the world, aiming to address issues related to their cultural preservation, land rights, and participation in state governance.

Constitutionalism: The practice or doctrine of establishing a constitution as a fundamental framework for governing a state, which includes principles that protect the liberties and rights of individuals, including minority groups like the Maori