When Did the First Pakeha Explorers Arrive in New Zealand?
Captain James Cook
Abel Tasman was the first European to see New Zealand
Abel Tasman
In around 1600-1800, people from Britain, Europe, and America were exploring the world to find new land to live on. They wanted to own more land so that they could have more power in the world, they also wanted to find new people to trade with. When people from these countries went to a new found country they wanted to change it to make it look and feel like the place they had come from.
The first European explorer to discover New Zealand was Abel Tasman on 13 December 1642. From the late 18th century, the country was regularly visited by explorers and other sailors, missionaries, traders and adventurers.
Some British explorers came to New Zealand, Aotoeroa, as it was named by the Māori. They were the inhabitants of this land. They sailed back to Britain and told the British Government that this country would be a good place for British people to live. There were at first many sealers, whalers, missionaries, farmers, and traders. A few people were also arriving from other countries. Later, the British Government encouraged British families to come here. The British Government thought that Aotearoa would be a good base in the Pacific for Britain.
The first European explorer to discover New Zealand was Abel Tasman on 13 December 1642. From the late 18th century, the country was regularly visited by explorers and other sailors, missionaries, traders and adventurers.
Some British explorers came to New Zealand, Aotoeroa, as it was named by the Māori. They were the inhabitants of this land. They sailed back to Britain and told the British Government that this country would be a good place for British people to live. There were at first many sealers, whalers, missionaries, farmers, and traders. A few people were also arriving from other countries. Later, the British Government encouraged British families to come here. The British Government thought that Aotearoa would be a good base in the Pacific for Britain.
