Heritage Talk - Early Polynesian Voyaging From Hawaiki

Geologist Dr W Ross Ramsay will discuss how rocks found in the South Island indicate the Māori people commenced their voyaging to this country from eastern Polynesia.

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 will discuss the implications of these blocks to early Māori voyaging.

No booking required. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

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