Tasman Sights New Zealand

Date: December 13, 1642 • Location: Wakefield, New Zealand

Abel Tasman is the first recorded European to sight New Zealand.

Abel Janszoon Tasman was a Dutch seafarer and explorer, best known for his voyages of 1642 and 1644 in the service of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). He was the first European to reach New Zealand, which he named Staten Landt. He also discovered and was the eponym of Tasmania.