Timeline practice - Polynesian expansion - Malee - By Mhammerton Period: 2000 BCE to 1500 BCE First travellers begin to move from Asia through the Islands Period: 1500 BCE to 1000 BCE Lapita people spread across Polynesia 1000 BCE Samoa is settled Period: 300 to 497 Hawaiian Islands settled 699 Polynesians settle Rapa Nui (Easter Islands) 1000 Polynesians arrive at Aotearoa (New Zealand)