Māori Groups in Waikato Ate Mostly Plants

Why this is here: Analysis of dental wear suggests children were eating soft, starchy root vegetables—like kūmara and taro—as early as two to three years of age.

Researchers in New Zealand’s Waikato region analyzed human remains—kōiwi tangata—to reconstruct diets and lifestyles. The team used isotope methods and dental enamel analysis on seven individuals discovered during road construction.

Results indicate all seven primarily ate plants, with kūmara (sweet potatoes) and taro as key staples. This challenges prior assumptions of a more diverse Māori diet focused on fishing, hunting, and gathering.

The study shows intensive crop cultivation began as early as the 16th century, becoming central to sustenance in some inland areas. Analysis suggests children transitioned to plant-based diets between two and three years old, consuming soft, starchy foods. Remains were found in a pit originally used for kūmara cultivation, pointing to complex burial rituals predating European colonization.

Researchers emphasize this does not mean all Māori were vegetarian, but rather highlights regional adaptability. Further studies combining archaeology, genetics, and environmental science could reveal how diets changed over time with climate and population shifts. The work continues to broaden understanding of sustainable resource management.