Another thing that makes New Zealand kinda wonderful is a spiritual aliveness that permeates the country. When Europeans arrived with intent to stay and colonize, they met the Maori. The Maori (pronounced like 'cowrie') were not quiet folk like the original Australians or the first Americans who were first met by Europeans arriving on those shores. The Maori are a fierce people who welcome newcomers with the haka, a loud, body-slapping, face-making, weapon-waving dance that says, "Welcome, New... Sign in to see full entry.