Māori is natively spoken by about 67,000 people, primarily in New Zealand, where it is an official language alongside English. It is integral to Māori cultural identity, known for its oral traditions, carving, and tattooing (ta moko). Written in the Latin alphabet with macrons to indicate long vowels, Māori grammar features a verb-subject-object (VSO) word order, particles to indicate tense and aspect, and a system of personal pronouns that reflect social relationships.