Abel Janszoon Tasman was born in 1603 in Lutjegast, Netherlands and he died on 10th October 1659 (aged 56 years) in Batavia, Dutch East Indies. Abel is best known for his voyages of 1642 and 1644 during which he discovered the islands of Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) and New Zealand. On his second voyage, in 1644, he followed the south coast of New Guinea eastward. He missed Strait Torres between New Guinea and Australia, and continued his voyage along the Australian coast. He mapped the north coast of Australia.
Do you know: At the northern end of the South Island, Abel Janszoon Tasman anchored the ships in a bay, where in his only encounter with the Maori four of his sailors were killed.
