Polynesians were the first people to populate New Zealand
over 1000 years ago.These people came by canoe from
East Polynesia. Their canoes that they brought to Aotearoa were made
from Wooden Planks.
Some of these wooden waka had an
outrigger or it was double hulled.
In the canoes these were trained Navigators who steered the
boat in the right direction
using:
1. The stars at night.
2. The Swells in the sea.
They also kept a lookout for signs
that land was near, for example, they
looked for birds that were feeding in the sea.
Not all of these brave sailors
made it to New Zealand.
