Taputapuatea marae

New World Heritage site 'links all of Polynesia'

Last week, UNESCO accepted the bid for Taputapuatea marae to become a world heritage site after nearly two decades of campaigning.

The marae complex is about 1000 years old and is seen as the point of origin for Polynesian seafarers who travelled to Rapa Nui, Hawai'i and New Zealand.

Otago University's Paul Tapsell said the site had always been significant and connected the people of the Pacific.