How did the maori migrate to aotearoa?

The exact details of how Māori migrated to Aotearoa (New Zealand) are still debated by historians and anthropologists. However, the most widely accepted theory is that they came from eastern Polynesia, specifically Hawaiki, a mythical ancestral homeland that is believed to correspond to one or more real islands in the Pacific.

Here's what we know:

* Origins: Māori are Polynesian people, a group of people who migrated from Southeast Asia to the Pacific islands over thousands of years.

* Arrival: The first Māori arrived in Aotearoa around 1280 AD. Archaeological evidence, including the oldest known human remains found at the site of "Waitomo" (dated to 1280), supports this.

* Journey: The journey was long and perilous, taking many months by canoe. The journey likely started from Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, or even further east, and involved multiple stops along the way.

* Navigation: Māori navigated using the stars, ocean currents, wind patterns, and knowledge of the natural world. They were skilled seafarers and navigators.

* Arrival: Once they reached the shores of Aotearoa, the Māori settled and developed their own distinct culture, language, and traditions.

While the exact details of the journey are still debated, the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the Māori arrived in Aotearoa from Polynesia, specifically Hawaiki, and that they were skilled navigators who traveled across the vast Pacific Ocean in canoes.

It's important to remember that this is a complex and evolving story. New archaeological discoveries and historical research continue to shed light on the origins and migration of the Māori people.