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Exploring the Pacific

The Pacific was the first ocean to be explored. But New Zealand's isolated islands, in the cold south-western waters of this ocean, were the last to be settled. Migration eastwards across the vast expanse of water occurred over thousands of years.

There were two periods of settlement:

Ancient voyaging: from 50,000 to 25,000 BCE people from Asia sailed simple rafts from island to island, reaching Near Oceania (Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands). They traded in stone, hunted animals and gathered seafood and local plants.

Recent voyaging: from 1100 BCE seafarers sailed canoes further east, into Remote Oceania (Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia). The islands were much further apart and more difficult to find. Migrating voyagers kept in contact with their home islands through trading trips.

The Lapita people

The Lapita were the first to reach Remote Oceania. Between 1100 and 1000 BCE they spread to West Polynesia (including Tonga and Samoa). On single-hulled outrigger canoes they brought pigs, dogs, chickens, yams and bananas; they also invented a new style of pottery, decorated with faces.

Polynesian explorers

About 3,000 years ago Polynesian culture developed in West Polynesia. Skilled navigators in double-hulled canoes gradually discovered remote islands to the east, using their knowledge of the stars and the winds to return home safely. Groups would then set off to start new settlements. Migration through East Polynesia began after 1000 CE.

Reaching New Zealand

Using small islands as stepping-stones, explorers finally discovered New Zealand. Archaeologists believe that the first settlers came no later than 1300 AD.

The original migrants came from a region in East Polynesia which Māori later called Hawaiki. Bringing dogs and rats, taro and kūmara (sweet potato) to New Zealand, they found plenty of wildlife, including birds now extinct: the moa, a species of swan, and the giant Haast's eagle.

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The world's first seafarers set off from South-East Asia, sailing into the Pacific on simple rafts. Thousands of years later their Polynesian descendants began exploring further east, guided by the stars and the winds. How did they survive these journeys into the unknown? And when did they ...

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More 5000 years ago expansion in the Pacific Ocean began. Navigation became an integral part of this migration process and produced some of the most sophisticated modes of nautical travel the world has ever seen. This topic focuses on Polynesian explorers and the extraordinary navigation skills they used to cross the Pacific Ocean.

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https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/633-waka-hourua

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https://eng.keitemohiokoe.tki.org.nz/Overview-of-Physics/Canoes-1/Different-waka-for-different-roles

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https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/14130/waka-landing-places

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Teacher support materials

Download and print the teacher support materials: Stories about places in Aotearoa New Zealand (pdf, 1.3 MB).

Teacher support materials - online version

Use the images in the 'Stories about places in Aotearoa New Zealand' gallery to explore the social sciences Know context, 'Te tūrangawaewae me te taiao | Place and environment':

Many of the names of geographical features, towns, buildings, streets, and places tell stories. Sometimes there is more than one story.
- Te ao tangata | social sciences

Explore ideas around place and environment, such as:

place names

Māori place names

colonial/settler place names

mapping and recording of place

places named after people - streets, towns, ...

who gets to name places

what place names 'mean'

what stories place names can tell

what stories about place can be lost over time (as they are renamed).

Ākonga can explore these images as primary sources using our tools for primary source analysis.

Explore the meaning and stories behind Māori place names: Tiki Towns.

Explore our curated collection of books: Stories about places in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Discussion starters for images in the gallery

Use the discussion starters below to explore stories about places in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Aotearoa

Statue of Kupe

Cook's map of New Zealand

Te Ika-a-Māui | North Island

Te Waipounamu | South Island

The longest place name

Description

'Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu' is one of the longest place names in the world. The name in English means 'The hilltop, where Tamatea with big knees, conqueror of mountains, eater of land, traveller over land and sea, played his kōauau (flute) to his beloved'.

Discussion starters

Can you have a go at saying the longest place name in Aotearoa New Zealand?

What is the longest place name in your local area/rohe?

What stories do you know about place names?

Taranaki Maunga

Aoraki | Mount Cook

Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland

Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington

Ōtautahi | Christchurch

Lake Wānaka

Whanganui River

Khandallah station

Chinese people's street

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Stories about places in Aotearoa New Zealand

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Use the images on this page to explore stories about places in Aotearoa New Zealand. Download and print the teacher support materials or read the online version at the bottom of this page.

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Use these curiosity cards to spark student inquiry about Aotearoa New Zealand's rich bicultural heritage. Explore themes related to the He Tohu documents and exhibition, and Tuia - Encounters 250 (Tuia 250).

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Use these curiosity cards to spark student inquiry about Aotearoa New Zealand's rich bicultural heritage. Explore themes related to the He Tohu documents and exhibition, and Tuia - Encounters 250 (Tuia 250).

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Seaweek - Kaupapa Moana 2024

Seaweek is an opportunity for all ages to discover the many ways that our lives are connected to the sea. Seaweek comprises a wide range of events, activities, opportunities, competitions and ...

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Welcome to the Science Learning Hub, a place to find out more about New Zealand science. Watch scientists in action with one of our short video clips, find out what questions are being asked, and explore some of the key ideas.

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TODAY IN HISTORY

1936 New Zealanders march into besieged Madrid

Griff Maclaurin and Steve Yates were part of the International Column of anti-fascist volunteers which marched into Madrid to bolster the city's defences against the assault of General Francisco Franco's rebel armies. Both men were killed in battle within two days of arriving

1939 New Zealand Centennial Exhibition opens

More than 2.6 million people visited the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition, which ran for six months at Rongotai, Wellington. It was the centrepiece of the centennial of the signing of the Treaty of the Waitangi.

See all historical events for

8 November November

KIWI OF THE WEEK

Jack Lovelock

One of our greatest athletes, Berlin Olympic gold medallist Jack Lovelock led a remarkably full life before his tragic death in 1949, just a few days shy of his 40th birthday.

Women's Suffrage Petition

The 1893 Women's suffrage petition - signed by more than 25,000 women, about a fifth of the enture adult European female population - helped pave the way for the passage of New Zealand's world-leading Electoral Act in September 1893.
See the digitised version of the petition

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1936 New Zealanders march into besieged Madrid Griff Maclaurin and Steve Yates were part of the International Column of anti-fascist volunteers which marched into Madrid to bolster the city's defences against the assault of General Francisco Franco's rebel armies.

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This website is home to the Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories curriculum content, guidance, and resources.

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The Tuia Mātauranga education programme supports teaching and learning, highlighting local people, places, and events that shaped their history. The programme is aimed at inspiring children and young people to explore their own stories of who they are and where they come from, to develop a sense of whakapapa and identity. The programme will be delivered in a way that encourages children and young people to take a leading role in their own education and in their communities.

For the purposes of Tuia Mātauranga, four themes will be incorporated: globalisation, enterprise, citizenship, and sustainability. These will be explored within the context of the following four topics.

Voyaging - the 1000 years of Pacific voyaging and celestial navigation, and the meeting of two great voyaging traditions.

First Encounters - the meeting of land and sea, Māori and Aotearoa, Māori and European and the many migrations.

New Zealand History - the significant people, places, and events that shaped the community, and those of significance to all New Zealanders.

Legacy of Learning - maintaining and building strong respectful relationships, celebrating the rich heritage of all of the people that have chosen to live here, and strengthening our relationship with the environment.

In 2019, New Zealand celebrated the 250th anniversary of the first onshore encounters between Māori and non-Māori, and the feats of Polynesian navigators and explorers who reached and settled in Aotearoa New Zealand many years earlier.

For information about related events and resources visit Tuia Mātauranga education programme.

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The Tuia Mātauranga education programme supports teaching and learning, highlighting local people, places, and events that shaped their history. The programme is aimed at inspiring children and young people to explore their own stories of who they are and where they come from, to develop a sense of whakapapa and identity.

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New Zealand Maritime Museum | Hui Te Ananui A Tangaroa

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Welcome to the New Zealand Maritime Museum. Find out more about our harbour sailings, collection, exhibitions, events and galleries.

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Buy one get one free on weekdays. Free on Twilight Tuesdays.
Delve into the science, history and mythology of Stonehenge - discover the secrets of what it meant to the people who built it, and what it means to the world today.

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Auckland War Memorial Museum tells the story of New Zealand, its place in the Pacific and its people. The Museum is a war memorial for the province of Auckland and holds one of New Zealand's top three heritage libraries.