The Origin of Maori Art

H D Skinner (1886 - 1978) has been British anthropologist lecturer at Otago University, former director of the Otago Museum, first president of the New Zealand Archaeological Association and most of all researcher. Skinner has researched and published many papers about (material) Maori culture and art.

According to Skinner repeating elements in Maori cultural expressions such as "the technical skill, perfection of execution and the tendency towards repetition and symmetrical balance" have their roots in general Polynesian art.

Some motifs like the human figure with two manaias which is, according to Skinner, derived from Melanesia ( a part of the Pacific ocean north and north east of Australia)

Contrary to popular belief it are these two Oceanic regions instead of India, Eastern Asia and America Maori art is most closely connected to.

Original items of practical use which gradually developed over time into "a type of pure ornament showing little resemblance to the implement from which it originally sprang." The hei matau (fish hook pendant) and the hei toki (adze pendant) might be exceptions to this rule.

Source: Evolution in Maori Art