It's important to understand the history behind the term. The Māori people themselves didn't call themselves Māori. It was actually the early European settlers who started using the term to distinguish the indigenous people of New Zealand from themselves.
The story goes that the early European explorers, particularly Captain Cook, would ask the Māori people "What is your name?" in their own language. The Māori response would often be "Tangata whenua" which translates to "people of the land." This was misinterpreted by the Europeans as meaning "ordinary people," which then became "Māori."
Over time, the term "Māori" was adopted by the indigenous people themselves, and it has now become a source of pride and identity.
However, it's still important to remember that the word wasn't originally a self-designation. It's crucial to acknowledge this historical context and to use the term respectfully.