The “Hangi” is one of New Zealand’s oldest traditions. It dates back to the Māori Settlement. Māori were the indigenous settlers believed to have migrated from Central Eastern Polynesia. These early settlers identified native edible root crops and starchy fruit staples as “Kai.” The Maoris are known to have dug Earth Oven Hangi’s to cook things like shellfish, chicken, and swine! The Māori Hangi is similar to both the Hawaiian Imu and the Fijian Lovo method, yet the Maori’s often left the earthen cap off, and cooked directly over coals that heat up the rocks creating an efficient source of heat!

Today the Hangi is still commonly used in this region of the world. “Kai” is also still used today, but it’s “modern” meaning encompasses all foods in general!

Earth Oven. “The Newest Most Ancient Way To Cook – Maori Hangi Style.”  View traditional recipe here.