The analyses of the Wairau Bar burials represented the first
complete mitochondrial genome sequences from any ancient
samples in the Pacific. They showed that there was significant
mtDNA variation in the first colonists of New Zealand, which was
unexpected given previous studies of mtDNA variation in Maori
that focused exclusively on variation in the HVR (Murray-McIntosh
et al., 1998; Whyte et al., 2005). This has implications for calculations
of the likely numbers of founding females but perhaps more
importantly, these results, along with those of Benton et al. (2012)
on complete mitochondrial genome sequences in modern Maori,
demonstrate the need for further complete mitochondrial
sequencing in the Pacific region. From these studies alone it appears
that we have significantly underestimated the mtDNA diversity
in Polynesia and the population histories within the
Polynesian Triangle may be more complex than initially thought. It
is hoped that this study also demonstrates the importance and the
potential of working with indigenous descent communities for
further aDNA studies in the Pacific. The potential for moving
beyond mtDNA to whole genome or other multi-locus analyses of
ancient remains is also exciting as these are likely to provide significant
data to help us better understand human history and
adaptation in the Pacific.