Tasman Spots New Zealand: First European Contact
Abel Tasman's ships cut through the Pacific to become the first Europeans to sight New Zealand in 1642, sparking a violent clash with Māori warriors that killed four of his crew and forced an immediate retreat. This encounter established the initial European contact with the islands but also cemented a long period of isolation for New Zealanders before further exploration resumed decades later.
December 13, 1642
384 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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