| Name | Aotearoa |
| Type | Independent nation |
| Culture | Distinct Māori culture and heritage |
| History | Unified kingdom established in the 19th century after generations of tribal conflict |
| Location | Southwestern Pacific Ocean |
| Population | Predominantly Māori |
| Colonization | Avoided extensive European colonization and settlement, preserving Māori sovereignty and self-determination |
| Major Islands | North Island • South Island • Numerous smaller islands |
| Indigenous People | |
| Political and Economic Role | Significant in the Pacific region |
Aotearoa, also known as the Kingdom of Aotearoa, is an independent nation located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is comprised of the two main islands of the North Island and the South Island, as well as over 600 smaller islands including the subantarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands. Aotearoa is the homeland of the Māori people, who have inhabited the region for centuries and established a unified kingdom in the 19th century after generations of tribal conflicts.
The Māori, a Polynesian people, are believed to have first arrived in the islands of Aotearoa around 1300 CE, sailing from the ancestral Māori homeland in Eastern Polynesia. Over the following centuries, they developed a rich culture and complex social structures, organized into numerous semi-autonomous iwi (tribes) and hapū (subtribes).
Intertribal warfare and competition for resources was common during this period. However, in the 19th century, a series of influential Māori leaders emerged who worked to unify the various iwi into a centralized kingdom. The most notable was King Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, who was crowned in 1858 as the first monarch of the Kingdom of Aotearoa.
Crucially, Aotearoa was never colonized by the British Empire or any other European power, unlike the "New Zealand" of our timeline. The Māori successfully fought off numerous attempts at colonization, leveraging their geographic isolation, military strength, and diplomatic maneuvering to maintain their sovereignty. This allowed the Māori to develop their nation and culture free from foreign domination.
Aotearoa consists of the two main islands of the North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui) and the South Island (Te Waipounamu), as well as numerous smaller outlying islands. The terrain is largely mountainous, with the Southern Alps running the length of the South Island and volcanic landscapes in the central North Island. The islands' temperate climate and abundant natural resources have supported Māori civilization for centuries.
Today, Aotearoa has a population of over 7 million people, the vast majority of whom are of Māori descent. The Māori language, known as te reo Māori, is the country's official national language alongside English. Aotearoa maintains a predominantly rural and agricultural character, with only a few major cities like the capital Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau) and Rotorua.
Aotearoa is a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with the Māori monarch (currently King Tuheitia) as the head of state and a democratically elected parliament. The country has developed its own robust political and legal institutions, distinct from those of former colonial powers.
Aotearoa's economy is centered on agriculture, fishing, forestry, mining, and tourism, with a growing high-tech and services sector. Major exports include dairy products, meat, wood, seafood, and precious minerals. The country has also leveraged its abundance of renewable energy resources, particularly geothermal and hydroelectric power.
Politically and economically, Aotearoa plays a significant role in the wider Pacific region, maintaining close ties with other Polynesian nations as well as major powers like China and Japan. The country's unique history and indigenous identity set it apart from the former European colonies that dot the Pacific.
Māori culture, language, and traditions are the foundation of Aotearoan society. The nation's rich artistic legacy is expressed through distinctive wood carving, weaving, tattooing, and performing arts. The Māori worldview, emphasizing harmony with the natural environment, community, and ancestral heritage, permeates all aspects of life.
At the same time, Aotearoa has developed a vibrant, globally-influenced popular culture, with Māori music, film, literature, and cuisine gaining international recognition. The country is also known for its advanced education system, which prioritizes both traditional Māori knowledge and modern, science-based curricula.
Overall, Aotearoa represents a rare example of a post-colonial indigenous nation that has successfully preserved and thrived on its own cultural foundations. Its unique history, identity, and role in the Pacific set it apart from the colonial legacies that continue to shape much of the modern world.
