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7. What factors support the possibility that New Zealand’s first settlers may have come from Southeast Asia and New Guinea region?

  • Writer: Kerry Paul
    Kerry Paul
  • Jun 17
  • 2 min read

Current View

While the conventional view holds that New Zealand was first settled around 1250–1300 AD, the possibility of earlier habitation remains a topic of debate. Evidence of earlier settlers could be buried or yet to be discovered.


Contributing Factors

The possibility that New Zealand’s first settlers may have originated from Southeast Asia and the New Guinea region is supported by a number of factors covered in the next three Blogs:


BLOG 7: Seafaring Cultures and Navigation Over 2000 Years Ago


  • Navigation and Migration: the maritime expertise of sailors over 2000 years ago, including long distance voyages between the Middle East and India, and India to Southeast Asia and China.

  • Maritime Cultures: advanced sailing traditions of Southeast Asia and New Guinea, highlighting one of many coastal populations which exist in the region – the Motu people and their lagatoi vessels.

  • Role of Ocean Currents: how the East Australian Current could have facilitated voyages towards New Zealand.


BLOG 8: Motivations for Migration and Cultural Diversity

  • Shared Motivations for Migration: economic, environmental and societal reasons for movement, including trade and resource exploration.

  • Multicultural Influence: the diversity of settlers and their contribution to New Zealand’s heritage.

  • Diverse Crews and Passengers: recruitment of sailors from different ports alongwith an assortment of passengers led to cultural and ethnic blending.

  • Demographic Challenges: population sustainability factors, gender balance, and healthcare considerations.


BLOG 9: Archaeological Evidence and Traces of Early Settlers

  • Lapita Pottery: connections between Maori artistic traditions and Lapita pottery from Melanesia.

  • Potential Unexplored Evidence: the possibility that traces of earlier settlers remain undiscovered.

  • Interconnectedness of Humanity: a reflection on New Zealand’s settlement as part of a larger global migration story.

Comments

Kerry Paul Business man and blogger
Kerry Paul – Stepping Out of Your Bubble Author
​

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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