Early exploration and settlement of Australia and New Zealand were primarily conducted by European powers such as the Dutch and the British, who established colonies and brought European cultures and institutions. The indigenous peoples of Australia and New Zealand had their own distinct cultures, languages, and traditions, and their interactions with Pacific island societies were limited. While there were some instances of trade and cultural exchange between Australia and New Zealand with certain Pacific islands, these interactions were relatively sporadic and did not result in the same level of interconnectedness and cultural integration as seen among Pacific island societies.
Therefore, while Australia and New Zealand are geographically part of the Pacific region, their inclusion in the Pacific World prior to European invasion is limited. It is more appropriate to consider them as having their own distinct indigenous cultures and histories, with varying degrees of interaction with Pacific island societies, until the arrival of Europeans significantly altered their historical trajectories.