- New Zealand was originally settled by Polynesians from Eastern Polynesian. The most current evidence indicates that initial settlement of New Zealand occurred around 1280 CE. Previous dating of some Kiore bones at 50 - 150 CE has been shown to have been unreliable new samples of bone match the 1280 CE date of the earliest archaeological sites and the beginning of sustained, anthropogenic deforestation.
- Maoris were the first inhabitants of New Zealand, arriving on the islands in about 1000.
- From the late 18th century, the country was regularly visited by explorers and other sailors, missionaries, traders and adventurers.
- Maori oral history maintains that the Maoris came to the island in seven canoes from other parts of Polynesia.