Maori

American  

[mah-aw-ree, -oh-ree, mou-ree, mah-ree] / ˈmɑ ɔ ri, -oʊ ri, ˈmaʊ ri, ˈmɑ ri /

noun

plural

Maoris,

plural

Maori

1. a member of the Native Polynesian population of New Zealand.

2. a Polynesian language, the language of the Maoris.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Maoris or their language.

Māori British  

/ ˈmaʊrɪ /

noun

1. a member of the people living in New Zealand and the Cook Islands since before the arrival of European settlers. They are descended from Polynesian voyagers who migrated in successive waves from the ninth century onwards

2. the language of this people, belonging to the Malayo-Polynesian family

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adjective

1. of or relating to this people or their language

Example Sentences

“Inevitably it will happen,” said Mike Tavioni, who runs a carving and arts workshop dedicated to preserving Cook Islands Maori life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025

As was the case six years ago, the response to the traditional Maori challenge was the prelude to a memorable win -- just England's ninth in 47 Tests against the All Blacks spanning 120 years.

From Barron's • Nov. 16, 2025

So, museums have started returning human remains from communities such as the Maori tribes of New Zealand, the Mudan warriors of Taiwan, the Aboriginal people of Australia and the Native Hawaiians.

From BBC • Nov. 18, 2024

Devin even gives her something he received from a Maori shaman during their first one-on-one date in New Zealand.

From Salon • Sep. 4, 2024

Soon thereafter, a group of those Maori in turn colonized the Chatham Islands and became the Moriori.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond