Heritage Talk - Early Polynesian Voyaging from Ancient Hawaiki

Aiding our understanding of early Polynesian voyaging to Northland from ancient Hawaiki

Talk date: 25 May 2022.

Studies including early eyewitness accounts, oral history/traditions, artifact forms, biological linkages and mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) sequencing, linked social customs and mythology all indicate that the Māori people of New Zealand commenced their voyaging to this country from eastern Polynesia.

To date no artifact in a secure Māori occupation site has been found which is both exotic to New Zealand and which links back to a particular island in Hawaiki.

However, three shaped scoria blocks have been found in southern New Zealand. Dr Ramsay discussed the implications of these blocks to early Māori voyaging.

Inset image shows the stern of the Hinemoana carrying shaped scoria blocks found in the South Island. Photo by Andrew Crowe.

About Dr Ramsay

Ross Ramsay graduated PhD from the University of New England in 1981. For this degree, he worked in and mapped parts of the Solomon Islands. He has worked in industry, for the Victorian State Government and in academia.

He is currently researching aspects of early English porcelains and early Polynesian voyaging to New Zealand.