Where did the First Polynesians Come from?
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One theory is that the first New Zealanders, the Maori, migrated here from their ancestral Polynesian homeland of Hawaiki. This was followed about 800 years later by extensive European migration. The influence of Pacific Island and Asian immigrants during the 20th century has helped shape New Zealand into an even more vibrant and diverse multicultural society.
Another theory is that the ancestors of the Maori were a Polynesian people originating from south-east Asia. Some historians trace the early Polynesian settlers of New Zealand as migrating from today's China, making the long voyage traveling via Taiwan, through the South Pacific and on to Aotearoa (New Zealand).
Most people believe that the most likely region from which polynesians came to New Zealand is the southern cook and society islands. They left their home because they could see that New Zealand was a very rescourceful and uninhabited land. New Zealand had many differences in terms of rescources, climate, landscape, a lot more area, and generally a good all round change. The first polynesians discovered New Zealand in 800 AD.
Another theory is that the ancestors of the Maori were a Polynesian people originating from south-east Asia. Some historians trace the early Polynesian settlers of New Zealand as migrating from today's China, making the long voyage traveling via Taiwan, through the South Pacific and on to Aotearoa (New Zealand).
Most people believe that the most likely region from which polynesians came to New Zealand is the southern cook and society islands. They left their home because they could see that New Zealand was a very rescourceful and uninhabited land. New Zealand had many differences in terms of rescources, climate, landscape, a lot more area, and generally a good all round change. The first polynesians discovered New Zealand in 800 AD.
