They suffer higher levels of crime, health problems, imprisonment, poverty and educational under-achievement. Political and economic redress for historical grievances is also ongoing see Treaty of Waitangi claims and settlements. Early visitors from Europe to New Zealand generally referred to the indigenous inhabitants as "New Zealanders" or as "natives".
Currently, in most contexts, authorities require some documentation of ancestry or continuing cultural connection such as acceptance by others as being of the people ; however, there is no minimum ancestry requirement. The date of first arrival and settlement is a matter of debate. They had a profound impact on their environment from their first settlement in New Zealand and voyages further south, with definitive archaeological evidence of brief settlement as far south as Enderby Island.
Factors that operated in the transition to the Classic period the culture at the time of European contact include a significantly cooler period from , [ 51 ] and the extinction of the moa and of other food species. The Classic period is characterised by finely made pounamu greenstone weapons and ornaments, elaborately carved war canoes and wharenui meeting houses. The settlements had farmed areas and food sources for hunting, fishing and gathering. Three years later, after a promising start, du Fresne and 26 men of his crew were killed.
Relations were mostly peaceful, although marred by several further violent incidents, the worst of which was the Boyd massacre in and subsequent revenge attacks.
European settlement in New Zealand began in the early 19th century, leading to an extensive sharing of culture and ideas. When violence did break out, as in the Wairau Affray , Flagstaff War , Hutt Valley Campaign and Wanganui Campaign , it was generally limited and concluded with a peace treaty.
