Illustrated history of the South Pacific / Marcia Stenson.

Includes index.

Geology & geography -- How we know about the past -- The arrival of a seafaring people -- The end of isolation : explorers and travellers -- What the Europeans & Polynesians discovered about each other -- European empires -- Living under colonial rule -- War in the Pacific -- The Cook Islands -- Fiji -- French Polynesia -- Niue -- Samoa -- Tokelau -- Tonga -- Tuvalu -- Polynesian outliers : Wallis, Futuna & Rotuma -- The South Pacific & the world -- Historical mysteries.

The South Pacific is a huge expanse of ocean that encompasses more than 20,000 islands - including the islands of New Zealand. Illustrated history of the South Pacific is an excellent introduction to the story of the sea-faring people of this vast area. That history began about 6000 years ago when people first moved into the Pacific and continued with European exploration, war in the Pacific and political events both historic and current. Illustrtated history of the South Pacific includes specific information on the Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and the Polynesian outliers.

Intermediate, junior secondary.

New Zealand Post Non Fiction, 2007

New Zealand Post Book of the Year, 2007