General Information » Culture & Lifestyle » National Dress

Traditional Maori clothing is probably the closest New Zealand gets to a national dress. It consists of garments mostly made from harakeke, a flax that has been used in weaving by Maori since they first arrived in Aotearoa

Adornments such as greenstone and bone carvings, worn with threads as necklaces, are also popular.

The most famous of these is the tiki, a highly valued symbol of fertility, which was passed down from generation to generation. Also popular is moku, an intricate form of facial tattooing.

Grass skirts (pui pui) are traditionally coupled with intricately woven bodices and headbands, the geometric designs of which vary from tribe to tribe. But the real star of Maori textiles is cloak weaving (whatu kakahu). This is done either with flax or feathers, which are still donned by tribal chiefs for ceremonies and formal occasions to this day.

Pois are another familiar Maori accessory. These balls on ropes, now a feature of performances by kappa haka (Maori culture groups), were originally used by warriors to keep their wrists supple for battle.