The Old-Time Maori

A classic account of traditional Māori life in Aotearoa New Zealand, written by Makereti Papakura, a renowned Māori scholar and chieftainess of the Arawa people.

Drawing on her intimate cultural knowledge and lived experience, Makereti offers a rare Indigenous perspective on Māori society before widespread European influence. Both scholarly and deeply personal, The Old-Time Maori explores the social structures, customs, and everyday practices of the Māori, illuminating a way of life shaped by genealogy, community, and spiritual connection to the land. Topics covered include social organisation and relationship terms, marriage and child-rearing, food preparation, fire, housing, weaponry, genealogies, and detailed explanations of the accompanying photographs.

Written with clarity, dignity, and authority, The Old-Time Maori remains an essential resource for readers interested in Māori history and culture, anthropology, or the life and thought of Maggie Papakura herself. It is a valuable and enduring addition to any collection of New Zealand or Indigenous studies literature.