Chatham Islands History
The Chatham Islands are also known as Rekohu. Along with Pitt Island (Rangiaotea), Rekohu is the home of the Moriori people. Research on the Moriori is sketchy, but it is believed that they are Polynesians who sailed to the Chathams from the mainland on canoes around 1200AD. The Moriori themselves believe there were people on Rekohu before the canoes arrived. Moriori tribes lived peacefully on the Chathams for around 600 years, with the population peaking to 2000. During the 1830s, this peaceful existence was shattered by the arrival of Maori tribes from the mainland, and European and American whalers and sealers. Remnants of whaling and sealing stations can still be found on the islands.
By the dawn of the 20th century there were only 12 full-blooded Moriori left. Today, though no full-blooded Moriori survive, there are over 300 descendants living on the Chatham Islands. The Chathams have a total population of just over 700 people, made up of Moriori, European and Maori settlers.