Why is New Zealand considered part of Polynesia?
Thanks for any and all help!!! ☺ sk8rgurl99
Not all geographers would consider New Zealand as part of Polynesia. But it's a convenient place to locate this country, especially because its indigenous peoples probably came from Polynesia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polynesian_Triangle
New Zealand is considered part of Polynesia because of its geographic location and cultural connection to other Polynesian islands.
To understand why it is considered part of Polynesia, we can start by looking at the geography. Polynesia is a subregion in the Pacific Ocean, consisting of a group of islands that are scattered across the triangle formed by Hawaii, Easter Island, and New Zealand. This region is characterized by its Polynesian culture, language, and historical interactions.
Now, to determine the cultural connection, we can look into the history and migration patterns. Polynesia was settled by voyaging ancient seafarers known as the Austronesians. They embarked on impressive journeys using double-hulled canoes, exploring and settling various islands across the Pacific. These migrations occurred over thousands of years, with the voyagers bringing their culture, language, and traditions with them.
In the case of New Zealand, it was initially settled by the Polynesian people known as the Māori. The Māori arrived in New Zealand around 1280-1300 CE, coming from Eastern Polynesia. They brought their Polynesian culture and language, which has distinct similarities to other Polynesian cultures found in Samoa, Tonga, and other islands within the Polynesian triangle.
Additionally, New Zealand shares many cultural and linguistic connections with other Polynesians. These include similarities in traditional arts, navigation techniques, spiritual beliefs, and social structures.
So, the classification of New Zealand as part of Polynesia is based on its geographical location within the Polynesian triangle and the historical migration of Polynesian people, such as the Māori, who settled there and brought with them their Polynesian culture and language.