History,CuriositiesAUG 22, 2025

32 Powerful Portraits Of Māori Life A Century Ago

At the turn of the 20th century, the Māori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa (New Zealand), stood at a cultural crossroads. In the decades before, they saw devastating land loss, disease, and policies that aimed at forceful assimilation into colonial culture. The population was in rapid decline, with many even predicting extinction. But, in true Māori fashion, these indigenous people showed what they were made of. They saw the rise of a new generation of leaders that aimed to preserve and strengthen their culture. These photos capture those who were the bridge to the future of the Māori people, the keepers of tradition, and the survivors who fought with dignity.

#1 Maori Chief With Tattoed Face Wearing Peacock Feather

Portrait of a Māori elder with traditional facial moko and a feather crown, representing Māori life a century ago.

French National Library

Report

7points

#2 Young Māori Woman

Portrait of a young Māori woman from a century ago wearing traditional clothing and a feather in her hair.

Partington, William Henry Thomas

Report

7points

#3 Susan, Rotorua

Young Māori woman with traditional Tā moko facial tattoo and carved pendant, dressed in woven Māori cloak from a century ago.

Josiah Martin

Report

6points

#4 Maori Man With A Tattoed Face

Elderly Māori man with traditional facial moko tattoo and curly hair wearing a woven cloak in a historic portrait.

French National Library

Report

6points

#5 Two Māori Women Outside Huriwhenua Meeting House, Ranana

Two Māori women in traditional dress pose with a carved wooden figure, capturing Māori life a century ago.

Partington, William Henry Thomas

Report

6points

#6 Femme Maori (Maori Woman) With Tattoo On Chin

Sepia portrait of Māori man wearing traditional cloak and scarf, representing Māori life a century ago.

French National Library

Report

5points

#7 Maori Chief Holding A Taiaha

Māori elder with traditional facial tattoo and ceremonial cape holding a carved staff in a powerful vintage portrait.

French National Library

Report

5points

#8 Two Unidentified Maori Women

Two Māori women in traditional clothing and jewelry, captured in powerful portraits of Māori life a century ago.

Arthur James Iles

Report

5points

#9 Portrait Of Mairie, Wearing Kahu Kiwi (Kiwi Feather Cloak), Hei Tiki (Neck Pendant) With Albatross Feather In Hair

Portrait of a young Māori woman in traditional attire, showcasing Māori life and culture from a century ago.

The Trustees of the British Museum/Thomas Pringle

Report

5points

#10 Maori Woman And Child

Māori woman with traditional facial tattoo and feathers carrying a child wrapped in a woven cloak in a powerful portrait.

National Park Service

Report

5points

#11 Maori Woman Preparing Flax

Māori woman twisting flax with child sitting beside her in a traditional setting, showcasing Māori life a century ago.

National Park Service

Report

5points

In looking at these faces, it is impossible to ignore the profound connection between person and culture. The intricate lines of the tā moko (traditional tattoos) are not mere decoration; they are a visual language of genealogy, identity, and social standing. Each portrait is so much more than a picture of an individual as it captures an ancestral history that was being fiercely protected against the pressures of a changing world.