abel tasman

Early European explorers

Spanish and the Portuguese had an active presence in the Pacific from the early 16th century, but there is no firm evidence of Europeans reaching New Zealand before Abel Tasman in 1642. Nor is there evidence that Arab or Chinese ships (trading in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea) were ever off New Zealand's coast.

There was speculation that a terra australis incognita (unknown southern land) existed, but European presence in the Pacific remained well north of New Zealand before the mid 17th century.

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 Maori.

On the evening of 18 December, Abel Tasman and his men had the first known European encounter with Māori. Although this initial meeting was peaceful, the misunderstanding and fear aroused by two such different worlds coming together soon led to violence.

Abel Tasman features in The A to Z of New Zealand stamp series produced by New Zealand Post in 2008.

Gannets roost at Cape Kidnappers in 2005. Now protected, gannets were used by James Cook for his Christmas 'Goose pye' in 1769.

Abel Tasman's New Zealand Christmas 

The Christian origins of Christmas meant that before European contact, the celebration had no place in the calendar of Aotearoa. The first celebration of Christmas in New Zealand coincided with Abel Tasman’s voyage to New Zealand in 1642. Unfortunately, things did not get off to a good start.

Towards noon the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sighted ‘a large land, uplifted high’. As his vessel was off Punakaiki, this may have been the peaks of the Paparoa Range.

Gilsemans, Isaac: 'A view of the Murderers' Bay, as you are at anchor here in 15 fathom (1642)'. Read more about what happened here on 18-19 December 1642.