This paper examines the education of New Zealand's Maori people, noting historical achievement and enrollment gaps between Maori and non-Maori students. This gap is due to family economics, educational resources, cultural and racial barriers at school, negative school attitudes among older Maori students, and the student achievement testing system. The paper discusses the history of Maori education, Maori traditional culture and society, Maori learning styles and teaching techniques, and the Maori cultural revival that began in the latter 20th century. It describes the proliferation of Maori education programs that began within the New Zealand public education system and through separate Maori initiatives since the mid-1970s. It concludes by examining present and future trends, noting that several reviews and policy documents dealing with every aspect of New Zealand's education system (published between 1987-89) profoundly affected the structure of New Zealand education. At the same time, the country became aware of the need to address culture, ethnicity, and race. Definitive evidence is not yet available on the outcomes of Maori education initiatives. Not all New Zealanders support Maori education programs, but despite opposition, biculturalism is advancing at a time when the survival of the Maori language and culture is in doubt. (Contains 30 references.) (SM)