Raiatea, Leeward Islands, French Polynesia

Ra'iātea, is the second largest of the Society Islands, after Tahiti, in French Polynesia. The island is widely regarded as the 'centre' of the eastern islands in ancient Polynesia[citation needed] and it is likely that the organised migrations to Hawai'i, New Zealand and other parts of East Polynesia started at Ra'iātea. A traditional name for the island is Havai'i, homeland of the Māori people.[3] Situated on the southeast coast is the historical Taputapuātea which was established by 1000  AD. The main township on Ra'iātea is 'Uturoa, the administrative centre for the Leeward Islands (French Îles Sous-le-vent). There are also colleges which serve as the main educational location for secondary schools for students from the regional islands of Bora Bora, Taha'a, Huahine and Maupiti.