Polynesian culture is the culture of the indigenous peoples of Polynesia who share common traits in language, customs and society. Sequentially, the development of Polynesian culture can be divided into four different historical eras:

• Exploration and settlement (c. 1800 BC – c. 700 AD)
• Development in isolation (c. 700 – 1595)
• European discovery and colonization until World War II (1595–1946)
• Modern times/After World War II