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1. Did People Settle in New Zealand Over 2000 Years Ago?

  • Writer: Kerry Paul
    Kerry Paul
  • Jun 29
  • 1 min read

Updated: Nov 10

Who were New Zealand's first settlers? What are the probabilities of ships discovering New Zealand over 2000 years ago? Most likely departing from Southeast Asian or Melanesian ports, such as New Guinea, the largest island? The people on board could be of any mixed ethnic background, bound together by the motivation to find gold or another key resource, improve their quality of life, or seek better security.


Map showing India's Sphere of Influence 2000 Years Before the Present
India’s Sphere of Influence 2000 Years Before the Present

My previous blogs explore India's remarkable role in shaping the ancient world 2,000–3,000 years ago. During this period, India profoundly influenced regions spanning the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and even as far north as China. Migration patterns also reveal a southward movement from the islands of Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and surrounding areas, leading to the settlement of Melanesia and Polynesia. This raises an intriguing question: could ancient ships have ventured further south, reaching New Zealand?


The possibility of New Zealand's first settlers arriving from Southeast Asia does not diminish the historical narrative of double-hulled wakas sailing from East Polynesia—these voyagers may have simply come later. After all, the Polynesians themselves trace their origins to Southeast Asia before migrating eastwards. This shared ancestry suggests that each group would have had many characteristics in common.


Kerry Paul Business man and blogger
Kerry Paul – Stepping Out of Your Bubble Author
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Hi, I'm Kerry. I enjoy challenging people by asking questions and presenting different views to encourage critical thinking. My 45-year career has always had a global focus, building successful relationships in over 50 countries. I am empathetic to diverse views, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, religion, culture, or socio-economic status. Join me on a captivating journey as we explore how India shaped the world over two thousand years ago, potentially leading to the first settlement of New Zealand. This blog series aims to expand readers' awareness and knowledge of how people may have come to New Zealand in pre-Polynesian times. Given the time constraints many readers face, I am providing a platform for them to consider these intriguing possibilities in easy-to-read blog posts.

 

Who were the first people to settle in New Zealand? How did India possibly contribute to any development, given its major role over 2000 years ago in some of New Zealand’s closest neighbours? These questions will guide our exploration and open up a rich dialogue about the historical connections and cultural exchanges that may have shaped New Zealand's early settlements.

 

I'd be more than happy to discuss with readers of my blog about India, its history as well as New Zealand and the suggested origins of its first settlers. 

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