Abstract
Did the first East Polynesian settlers of New Zealand, as opposed to discoverers, maintain even a short period of contact with their tropical homeland after arrival? While there is currently no evidence to suggest that contact was maintained the possibility has remained open. Recent revivals of Polynesian ocean voyaging and waka ama paddling in New Zealand have given rise to a general belief that that Māori, like their kin in tropical Polynesia, never lost the arts of long-distance ocean voyaging. This paper, however, argues a contrary position and suggests that our isolation, size, abundance of resources, along with recent revisions to the date of initial settlement in New Zealand, further diminishes the possibility of contact with the tropical Polynesian homelands in the prehistoric past.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
