FreePrintable
Polynesian Migration to NZ
A free, printable general worksheet ready for your classroom. Download instantly, print, and hand out to your students — no account needed.
Polynesian Migration to New Zealand
🗺️ Part 1: Migration Knowledge
1. Where did the Polynesian people originally come from before migrating to New Zealand?
Australia
Other Pacific Islands
Asia
Europe
2. What type of vessel did Polynesian navigators use for their long ocean journeys?
Single canoe
Waka hourua (double-hulled canoe)
Large sailing ship
Raft
3. Which navigation methods did Polynesian navigators use? (Check all that apply)
Star patterns and positions
Ocean currents and waves
GPS technology
Bird flight patterns
Wind directions
4. What were some reasons Polynesian people migrated to new islands?
Complete the sentence: Polynesian people migrated because they were looking for _____________ and _____________.
🌊 Part 2: Journey and Challenges
5. List three major challenges that Polynesian navigators would have faced during their ocean voyages:
6. Describe how Polynesian navigators used the stars to find their way across the Pacific Ocean:
7. Why was it important for Polynesian voyagers to bring plants and animals with them to New Zealand?
🏞️ Part 3: Impact on New Zealand
8. How did the arrival of Polynesian settlers change New Zealand? Write about two important impacts:
Impact 1:
Impact 2:
9. Think about it: How do you think New Zealand would be different today if Polynesian migration had never happened?
10. Draw and label a simple diagram showing the migration route from Polynesia to New Zealand. Include at least 3 Pacific islands that may have been stopping points:
About This Worksheet
Free Download
No sign-up, no email, no paywall. Just download and print.
Print-Ready
Formatted for standard paper. Clean layout, easy to read.
AI-Generated
Created with Kuraplan's AI, designed for real classroom use.
For Teachers & Parents
Use in classrooms, for homework, tutoring, or homeschool.
Need a custom version of this worksheet?
Kuraplan's AI generates custom worksheets in seconds — differentiated for every learner, aligned to your curriculum.
Generate Custom Worksheets — Free No credit card Curriculum-aligned Under 60 seconds
