Hi Fearn,
you are correct.... climatic, archaeological and oceanic studies all support the distribution of oceanic peoples spreading Westerly from Australasia. The prevailing winds and currents are predominately westerly at this latitude and these forces are intensified when El Nino occurs every 2 - 7 years. Bearing in mind the small canoes used and some of the great distances travelled, often blindly, as many islands could not be seen on the horizon, as they island hopped ....they were incredibly brave or desperate to find new lands. The speed of travel was incredibly enhanced when El Nino struck and there is evidence to support an increase activity in the Westerly movement at such times.
All the best
David
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