Polynesian Triangle

Today, the most numerous Polynesian peoples are the Māori, Hawaiians (Kanaka Maoli), Tongans, Samoans, Niueans and Tahitians.

They ultimately derive from the proto-Austronesian language spoken in Southeast Asia 5,000 years ago.

There are also numerous Polynesian outlier islands outside the triangle in neighboring Melanesia and Micronesia.

However, none of these islands are considered part of Polynesia proper, as no viable settlements have survived.

In contrast to the shape of a triangle, another theory states that the geography of Polynesian society and navigation pathways more accurately resemble the geometric qualities of an octopus with head centred on Ra'iātea (French Polynesia) and tentacles spread out across the Pacific.

The Polynesian Triangle is a geographical region of the Pacific Ocean with Hawaii ( Hawaiʻi ) (1), New Zealand ( Aotearoa ) (2) and Easter Island ( Rapa Nui ) (3) at its corners, but excluding Fiji on its western side. At the center is Tahiti (5), with Samoa (4) to the west.