Abel Tasman was a Dutch mariner, merchant and explorer most known for his discovery of Tasmania, New Zealand and the Fiji Islands during his voyage of 1642-43. He was the first known European expedition to reach these islands and come into contact with the native Maori people. Tasmania was obviously named after him (it had formerly been known as Van Diemen’s Land). Enduring rough waters and unknown seas, Tasman was an “Abel†seafarer. It would be another century and James Cook’s voyages before Tasmania and New Zealand would be visited again by Europeans. Certainly the Maori people must have been scratching their heads…
