The dutch explorer Abel Tasman is officially recognised as the first European to ‘discover’ New Zealand in 1642. His men were the first Europeans to have a confirmed encounter with Māori.
Abel Tasman
Personal details
Full Name:
Abel Janszoon Tasman
Lifetime:
1602 to 1603 – 1659 (year uncertain)
Biography
Events In History
18 December 1642
Abel Tasman’s Dutch East India Company expedition had the first known European contact with Māori. It did not go well.
13 December 1642
Towards noon the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sighted 'a large land, uplifted high', possibly the peaks of the Paparoa Range behind Punakaiki.
Main image: Gannet pie for Christmas
Gannets – served as 'Goose pye' – were used for James Cook's first New Zealand Christmas meal.
