Here's why:
* Oral Tradition: Māori culture relied heavily on an oral tradition. Knowledge, history, stories, and songs were passed down through generations through spoken word.
* Arrival in New Zealand: The Māori arrived in New Zealand around the 13th century. They didn't bring with them a writing system.
* European Contact: When Europeans arrived in the 18th century, they brought their own written language (English). This was the first exposure to a written language for most Māori.
* Development of a Written Māori: Missionaries and scholars worked to develop a written form of the Māori language using the Roman alphabet. This was done to facilitate communication and literacy among Māori.
Therefore, while the Māori did not have a traditional written language, they have a well-established written system developed since European contact. This system has been vital for preserving their language and culture.