Where did the moriori come from?

The Moriori people are indigenous to the Chatham Islands, a group of islands located about 800 kilometers east of New Zealand. They are believed to be descended from Polynesian settlers who arrived in the islands around 1,000 years ago.

The exact origins of the Moriori people within Polynesia are still debated, but the most common theory is that they were related to the Māori people of New Zealand. Genetic studies suggest that they shared a common ancestor with the Māori who arrived in New Zealand about 1,200 years ago.

It's thought that a group of Māori ancestors sailed east from New Zealand, likely in several voyages, and settled on the Chatham Islands. Over time, they developed their own distinct culture and language, adapting to the unique environment of the Chatham Islands.

While the Moriori are closely connected to the Māori, their culture and language evolved differently. This demonstrates how different environments and isolation can shape the development of indigenous groups.