Daily life in traditional communities

Traditionally, the day began early, with prayers and singing to worship the rising sun.

The daily life of the community was based around getting food, so most people spent their days in activities such as:

Children and adults worked alongside each other, and chiefs worked together with their people.

The first meal of the day was around mid-morning. As the sun began to set, workers returned to the village and food was prepared and eaten together. The rest of the evening was spent in games and conversation. Sometimes there were prayers to the setting sun. Once it was dark, people generally went to sleep.

Aotearoa was originally covered with dense native bush, and its wild ferns, vines, palms, fungi, berries, fruit and seeds became important foods.

Māori introduced kiore (the Polynesian rat) and kurī (the Polynesian dog), both valuable sources of meat. They hunted a wide range of birds, and seafood was vital to their diet.