Why did the maori come to New Zealand?

The Māori did not "come" to New Zealand in the sense of migrating from somewhere else. They are the indigenous people of New Zealand, meaning they have lived there for generations, long before European contact.

The origins of the Māori people lie in Polynesia. They are believed to have migrated from eastern Polynesia, likely from the islands of Tahiti or the Cook Islands, around 1280 AD.

It's important to remember that the Māori did not have a singular, unified migration. It's believed that various groups from Polynesia arrived at different times, with their journeys happening over decades or even centuries.

The reasons for their voyages are complex and include:

* Exploration and discovery: Polynesian voyagers were skilled navigators and explorers, driven by curiosity and the desire to find new lands.

* Resource scarcity: Some groups may have sought new lands due to resource scarcity in their original homes.

* Political and social unrest: Conflict and power struggles within Polynesian societies could have motivated some groups to seek new homes.

It's important to note that the Māori have a rich oral history that provides insights into their origins and journeys. This oral history, along with archaeological evidence, has been used to reconstruct the story of the Māori arrival in New Zealand.

In essence, the Māori did not "come" to New Zealand, they are the inheritors of the land and have called it home for over 800 years.