Maori Settlers: Cultural Unit - Home Economics

Gathering and preserving food: 

The Māori had a unique way of cooking their kai (food), in which they use a hāngī known as the Earth oven to cook their food. It is a traditional method of cooking specialised in preparing food for vast numbers of people. The hāngī uses hot rocks and water to produce steam in a shallow hole dug into the earth. Food is layered on top of the rock; meat first, and then vegetables. They are covered with whāriki (flax matting) or, in more recent times, sacking or cloth. Soil is then replaced to trap the steam for a few hours. The exact time depends on the size of the hāngī.

Māori had methods to preserve their food to save for leaner times or to trade with other tribes. Drying was the most used method for the preservation of their food. Food was dried in embers or, in the geothermal Rotorua area, spread on hot rocks. Shellfish were threaded onto long lengths of twisted flax and hung, drying in the sun and wind. 

What were the key foods brought to NZ by the British Settlers? 

Māori quickly utilised food sources that were introduced by Europeans. They grew potatoes, provided pigs to other tribes, developed large wheat plantations and mills. During the early 1800s, pigs and baskets of potatoes were used as currency. Māori quickly utilised food sources that were introduced by Europeans. They grew potatoes, provided pigs to other tribes, developed large wheat plantations and mills. During the early 1800s, pigs and baskets of potatoes were used as currency. As for our first practical during HEC (home economics), we have made scones which are also food brought to NZ by the British Settlers.