8. Seafaring Cultures and Navigation Over 2000 Years Ago (BLOG 7)

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

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:

Navigation and Migration:

Ocean-going sailing ships capable of navigating vast distances were in use over 2,000 years ago. Travelers from Europe or the Mediterranean could journey via established routes to Southeast Asia. Beginning in Egypt, they would travel to a Red Sea port and board an ocean-going ship heading east. Stops along the way included the western coast of India, where travelers often spent time before continuing to Southeast Asia. Timing the journey to coincide with favorable monsoon winds was critical, as this significantly impacted travel duration.

With determination and planning, it was feasible for a European or Mediterranean traveler to complete the journey from Egypt to Southeast Asia within two years. This illustrates the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations and their ability to traverse vast distances through maritime expertise.

Southeast Asia has always been a vibrant crossroads of cultures, languages, and traditions. If ships set sail from this region toward New Zealand, it stands to reason that their passengers would reflect this rich diversity. The crew and settlers might include people of varied backgrounds, each bringing unique knowledge, skills, and cultural practices.

This multicultural composition would also influence the artifacts, oral traditions, and technologies they carried, leaving traces in their destination's heritage.

A vessel built for the unpredictable nature of the ocean must be resilient, sturdy, and well-equipped to handle everything from towering waves to fierce winds. Without this capability any ship carrying migrants would never reach New Zealand.

For further information please refer to:

https://www.kerrypaul.co.nz/post/part-2-westward-expansion-to-the-middle-east and https://www.kerrypaul.co.nz/post/part-3-eastward-expansion-to-south-east-asia-and-china

Maritime Cultures of Southeast Asia and New Guinea:

Maritime travel within the Malay-Indonesian archipelago and the New Guinea region was highly developed and regular as early as 3,000 years ago. Diverse coastal population groups in the region frequently sailed in fleets of 50 to 60 boats for food-gathering expeditions, ceremonial events, and trade. For example, the Motu people from the southern coast of New Guinea near Port Moresby are well documented for their elaborate annual trading expeditions across the Gulf of Papua.

The Motu built large sailing boats called lagatoi, which were multihulled rafts constructed from logs lashed together. These vessels were propelled by crab-claw-shaped sails made of coconut fibre, and each required a crew of around thirty men to operate. The Motu's maritime practices highlight the advanced seafaring capabilities and cultural richness of the region.

The coastal population groups of the Southeast Asian region could have been members of larger sailing ships sailing on exploratory expeditions outside the region.

Role of East Australian Current:

The East Australian Current (EAC) adds an important dimension to the discussion about maritime travel and migration routes. This vast, powerful current, along with the trade winds, would have been instrumental in facilitating voyages from New Guinea to New Zealand. Its wide reach—branching eastward towards New Zealand in several places—makes it a natural pathway for sailors. The East Australian Current (EAC), with its impressive one-hundred kilometre width, flows from Cape York to Tasmania.

Fleets of ships traveling together emphasises the potential for organised exploration or migration. Such fleets could have supported one another during the journey, enhancing their chances of success.

Further contributing factors are outlined in the following Blog.