Māori are a Polynesian people who arrived in New Zealand in a series of long ocean-going voyages across the Pacific and fairly rapidly spread over the country. There is no one place identified as the original homeland of the Māori, although in legend this is usually identified as "Hawaiki". Tradition has it that Hineteaparangi, wife of Kupe, an early visitor to these shores, first used the name Aotearoa ("long white cloud"). Some commentators, however, are sceptical as to whether this term was in general use prior to 1840.
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History
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New Zealand
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Time Line of events up to 1850
