Tangata Whenua

Around 850 years ago Polynesian explorers found an empty land and the story of people in Aotearoa began. A new culture emerged; tangata whenua had arrived and started to thrive.In part two, Polynesian explorers reach new shores far to the south; a land unlike anything they had seen before. It's a story of technological innovation, new horizons and becoming a new, distinct people. Watch the video version of the episode hereTopics covered:The origins of Polynesian people.Technological development of ocean-going waka.Polynesian exploration and occupation of Pacific islands.Discovery of Aotearoa/New Zealand by Polynesians.Origins of the Moriori and myths about Moriori.The challenges faced by early Māori.Extinction of the Moa and other large birds.Development of distinct Māori culture.The basics of Tikanga Māori.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details