Why we use the "Avaiki"

Rennell and Bellona Islands are two Polynesian Islands in the Solomons. These are homes to Polynesians whose ancestors came from Wallis and Futuna more than 600 years ago. Our people have lived and thrived on these Islands for centuries.



Christianity reached our Islands in the early 1900s. Bellona Island, in particular, was Christinized in 1938 by Seventh Day Aventist missionariesfrom Lake Tegano, East Rennell. 

Today, Rennell Bellona people like to call themselves the "Avaiki people." Many would disagree with that because that name doesn't seem to appear in our oral history. But it is a fact the name Avaiki is extremely important to Polynesians.

Because of the seperation of the Polynesian people by the vast Pacific ocean for centuries, the name Avaiki may have been lost or corrupted. For instance, the name Hawaii, Hawaiiki, Avaiki, Matangiki, Savai'i etc. do have similar meanings but they may have orginiated from the same name. To many, this is the land of their ancestors. Today, the two main groups, beside Rennell and Bellona people, use Avaiki as their identity are the Niueans and Cook Islanders. 

Avaiki-Connection signifies our ties to the Polynesian Triange; our ties to our race and heritage. It demonstrates our strong connections to the lands of our forefathers, and the love for our fellow Polynesian people in the Eastern region. 

These websites bring our Islands closer to our people wherever they are, but more so to promote our culture and values that separate us from the rest of the Solomon Island people.