The term "Moa Hunters" refers to the early MÄori people who hunted the Moa, a large flightless bird that was native to New Zealand. These people are also called the "Archaic" or "Colonizing" period MÄori.
When the early MÄori arrived in New Zealand, around 1250-1300 AD, many species of Moa were present. The largest could stand up to 3.6 meters (12 ft) tall with neck outstretched, and they proved to be a valuable source of food for the early settlers. The hunters not only hunted moa but also fished, gathered, and cultivated gardens.
However, the Moa were quickly hunted to extinction within about 100 years of human arrival, based on the most recent and precise dating. This was likely due to a combination of hunting, habitat destruction, and the introduction of the Polynesian dog, or kuri. The extinction of the Moa, in turn, brought an end to the "Moa Hunter" period of MÄori culture.
MÄori society then transitioned to what is known as the "Classic" period, marked by the development of fortified villages, or pÄ, increased horticulture, especially of kumara, more complex social structures, and the proliferation of distinctly MÄori cultural artifacts and practices.
So, to answer your question directly, the "Moa Hunters" didn't disappear but rather evolved and adapted their way of life in response to the changing environment and resources, forming the foundation of the later MÄori society.