[John Valentine]

This is all good, but how does it explain the fact that the language of the Maori is not particulalry related to either Melanesian or Taiwanese languages, but is a virtual clone of Tahahitian and very close to Hawaiian. Maori language is without a doubt Polynesian.

As are the Maori themselves. They are physically Polynesian, not Melanesian. Maoris look nothing whatever like Melanesians or Taiwanese.

I suspect that there has to be another explanation for these genetic findings. If a scientist comes up with findings that are obviously false, or that deny the reality of other observable facts, then that scientist really needs to go back and do some more work.

[blam]

"As are the Maori themselves. They are physically Polynesian, not Melanesian. Maoris look nothing whatever like Melanesians or Taiwanese. "

" I suspect that there has to be another explanation for these genetic findings. If a scientist comes up with findings that are obviously false, or that deny the reality of other observable facts, then that scientist really needs to go back and do some more work."

Read this excellent book. It could/will clear up things a bit.

[blam]

Here's a complicated but interesting link.

Y Chromosomal Evidence For The Origins Of Oceanic-Speaking Peoples

[Wonder Warthog]

"...but how does it explain the fact that the language of the Maori is not particulalry related to either Melanesian or Taiwanese languages, but is a virtual clone of Tahahitian and very close to Hawaiian. Maori language is without a doubt Polynesian."

Because language acquisition can be divorced from genetics. Your ancestry may be Irish, but you and your relatives here in the US speak English. You might have cousins born in Mexico who speak Spanish.

[SunkenCiv]

Story of Human Language, Course No. 1600, Taught by John McWhorter, Manhattan Institute, Ph.D., Stanford University

[nades]

that's not entirely true - I am a NZ Maori - I have seen quite a number of Taiwanese who could easily pass as Polynesian or Maori. In fact if my siblings lived in Taiwan or Hong Kong - very few people could tell any difference in physicality. Yes I have visited Asia quite a bit.

[nades]

as to the language - mutation. Maori languages have changed so dramatically since the advent of the European; that it is now called Book Maori as opposed to tuturu Maori (pre-European maori). As you can imagine - Tuturu Maori can not be taught in schools as each tribe had their own dialect - sure there were commonalities however the language was monosyllabic so meaning increased or decreased according to preceding, proceeding or successive actions. We have a clear indicator through DNA correspondence where we originated and distinct physical likeness is the seal for me. The ancient Taiwanese are approximately 30000 to 40000 years old. That also ties in with Maori and Mori-Ori folklore (of which I am a descendant of both - Toi is the father of Maori and Moriori alike.).