Most archaeologists have believed that, true to Maori legend, Maoris first landed in New Zealand somewhere in the North Island and slowly spread southwards. Examination of data from Carbon-14 dating of remains from all the known sites of the moa hunting settlers has led to the suggestion that the Maoris first landed on the north-eastern coast of the South Island. They then moved south down the coast and reached the North Island later, moving only slowly at first.