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Title / Describe the history and relationships between the peoples of Polynesia
Level / 3 / Credits / 4
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe migratory theories which link the peoples of the Polynesia; describe the whakapapa of languages amongst the peoples of Polynesia; and describe place names and pūrākau which provide links between the peoples of Polynesia.
Classification / Te Mātauranga Māori me te WhakangunguTe Mātauranga Māori Whānui
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Resource support includes but is not limited to the following:
Best, E, Polynesian Voyagers, (Wellington, NZ: Government Printer, 1975).
Buck, P, The Coming of the Māori, (Christchurch, NZ: Whitcoulls Ltd, 1982).
Davidson, J. In Oxford History of New Zealand, (2nd ed).
Grey, G, Ngā Mahi a Ngā Tūpuna, (Christchurch, NZ: Kiwi Publishers, 1997).
Gibbons, P. In Oxford Dictionary of New Zealand Literature.
Journals of the Polynesian Society. (Auckland, NZ: The Society, 1892).
2Resource support identified above are examples only and are in no way meant to be prescriptive. It is envisaged that different areas will access publications and other resources specific to their area.
3Māori history is intertwined with the history of the many Polynesian peoples of the Pacific who claim common descent. Many of the pūrākau are common - for example the exploits of Maui, and the language of many parts is very closely related. The concept of whakapapa can be transferred from people to also refer to links and commonalities between languages, technology, beliefs, values, arts and culture. The close links Māori have with other Polynesians, as well as the development of each group in distinctive ways, is also reflected in the histories of other parts of the world.
4Migratory theories
Theories of the migration patterns of the people in Polynesia and surrounding areas vary widely. It is envisaged that this unit standard will cover the accounts provided by the Polynesian groups based on family knowledge handed down over the generation as well as those theories developed by archaeologists based on scientific research, analysis and conjecture.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe migratory theories which link the peoples of Polynesia.
Rangeevidence of two Polynesian accounts and two archaeological theories.
Evidence requirements
1.1The description utilises maps to illustrate the migratory theories.
1.2The description discusses the different perspectives of the various migration theories.
1.3The description details archaeological findings in relation to the theories.
Outcome 2
Describe the whakapapa of languages amongst the peoples of Polynesia.
Evidence requirements
2.1The description details the similarities of words and word roots amongst Polynesian languages and other languages.
2.2The description relates language similarities and possible patterns of language development to migratory theories.
2.3The description includes the identification of another language whakapapa in another part of the world.
Outcome 3
Describe place names and pūrākau which provide links between the peoples of Polynesia.
Rangeevidence of two pūrākau required.
Evidence requirements
3.1The description includes place names common to different Polynesian peoples.
3.2The description includes pūrākau which are similar or the same for different peoples of Polynesia.
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 29 June 1999 / 31 December 2015
Review / 2 / 19 December 2003 / 31 December 2015
Rollover and Revision / 3 / 12 December 2013 / 31 December 2016
Rollover and Revision / 4 / 15 October 2015 / 31 December 2018
Review / 5 / 8 December 2016 / 31 December 2018
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0226
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the CMR. The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
NZQA Māori Qualifications ServicesSSB Code 194 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018 / / New Zealand Qualifications Aut