Social organisation was largely communal with families (whānau), subtribes (hapū) and tribes (iwi) ruled by a chief (rangatira), whose position was subject to the community's approval.
A organización social foi en gran medida comunal con familias (whanau), sub-tribos (hapu) e tribos (iwi) gobernadas por un xefe (rangatira), cuxa posición estaba suxeita á aprobación das comunidades.