18 December – Discovery of New Zealand in 1642

S. BALAKRISHNAN

Discovery of New Zealand

Believe me! I did not discover New Zealand; it was Abel Tasman who discovered that new land of New Zealand. I only discovered about the discovery of this discoverer from an old stamp that I discovered from my collection. The rare stamp was issued 85 years ago in 1940; it helped me discover the fact that New Zealand was discovered in 1642 by Abel Tasman.  So believe me! I did not discover New Zealand. 

Abel Tasman, whose image the stamp carries, is officially recognised as the first European to ‘discover’ New Zealand in 1642. His men were the first Europeans to have a confirmed encounter with the aboriginal M?ori people. The misunderstanding, suspicion and fear aroused by the encounter of two such varied groups soon led to violence. If only the Maoris had …. Well, what had happened had happened! History cannot be rewritten after almost 400 years. 

Abel Tasman was born in Lutjegast, The Netherlands (‘Holland’ is the old name), the land of the Dutch people. Tasman went to sea in the service of the Dutch East India Company, receiving his first command in 1634. In 1642 he was to head an expedition to the ‘already discovered but yet to be explored South- and East-land [Australia and South America]’. The motive was to discover exploitable southern lands, if any existed, and to chart a sea passage across the Pacific Ocean to Chile. Tasman was given two small ships: his flagship, Heemskerck, and an armed transport ship, Zeehaen, for the expedition. Sailing off from Jakarta (known as Batavia where the Company had a base) in Indonesia in August 1642, the team first sailed west to Mauritius, then south and then east (due to cold) and sighted the mountains of what is now named after him as Tasmania. Sailing further east, the crew sighted the west coast of the South Island (of New Zealand) on the 13th December. They anchored at Wharewharangi Bay, near Wainui Inlet, to the north of what is now Abel Tasman National Park, on 18 December 1642. Yes, New Zealand had been discovered (by the Europeans).

The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman named this land “Staten Landt”, believing it was part of South America. When this was proved otherwise, the Dutch cartographers called it ”Nova (new) Zeelandia” in Latin, after such a province in Holland (The Netherlands). This was later anglicised to the present New Zealand when British explorers like James Cook landed there. The Aborigine Maoris call their land “Aotearoa”, meaning ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ (ao=cloud, tea=white, roa=long). 

The initial meeting between these sailor Europeans and native Maoris was tense but peaceful. The following day, though, the Dutch faced a violent encounter with local Ng?ti T?matak?kiri people. So Tasman retreated, sailing east to the Manawatu coast of the North Island (of New Zealand), naming the site of encounter ‘Moordenaers’ (Murderers) Bay. A storm forced the Dutch team to take shelter and also celebrate the first Christmas dinner in New Zealand. The two ships sailed further up the west coast of the North Island and then Great Island, in search of fresh water.  Here again the team was not welcomed; the local inhabitants, numbering about 35, shouted ‘with rough loud voice’ and threw stones from the cliff-tops; besides, a heavy surf and rocky shore prevented Abel Tasman’s team from landing. Forced to sail further in search of drinking water, he took a north-easterly course and arrived in Tonga on 21 January 1643. Loading sufficient supplies of water & food, they sailed on, sighting but not landing in the northern islands of Fiji and then turning west reaching Guinea in April and finally returning to Batavia (Jakarta) on 15th June 1643, after eleven months of exploration. 

Though Abel Tasman’s expedition was considered a success, yet it was felt that Tasman could have made more effort to investigate more fully the lands he had discovered. Later he was assigned duty in Australia, rejecting his proposal for a second expedition to New Zealand for a detailed study. Retiring by 1653 from the services of the Dutch East India Company, Tasman remained in Batavia (Jakarta) where he owned a substantial expanse of land. He also captained a small cargo ship, of which he was a part-owner. Tasman died in October 1659, survived by his second wife, Jannetje, and his daughter, Claesjen.

M?ori are tangata whenua — people of the land. They came to Aotearoa from Polynesia in the 13th century and created a new language and culture. After the Europeans started settling down there (as in Australia earlier) a treaty was signed between Her Majesty Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland, and the Native Chiefs and Tribes of New Zealand for forming a proper government (essentially to establish her sovereignty and to safeguard the Europeans!). Called the Treaty of Waitangi, this document is considered New Zealand's founding document; it was prepared over just a few days in February 1840. On the day it was first signed, there were versions in English and Maori. 

The 1940 stamp I have, therefore, commemorates the centennial of founding of New Zealand in 1840 by signing the Treaty of Waitangi. Besides depicting Abel Tasman, the stamp shows his sail ship and the route he took in the Tasman Sea and the chart of West Coast of New Zealand. The 2d (pence?) stamp is a postage and revenue stamp issued in brown and light green. It was part of the series issued in 1940 commemorating the centenary of the founding of New Zealand. 

On a trip to Abel Tasman’s New Zealand recently, our daughter returned with a handful of curios and currency notes & coins. I was excited to find Sir Edmund Hillary’s image on the 5 NZD (New Zealand Dollar) polymer note along with an image of Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. I mistook this peak for Mt. Everest. As one who had sighted Mt. Everest from far off Nagarkot View Point in Nepal, I was happy and also envious to see the portrait of the first human to be atop the world’s tallest peak. The reverse shows a Hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin) of New Zealand.  The 50 NZD note portrays Sir Apirana Turupa Ngata (1874-1950), the foremost Maori politician, who held office as the Minister for Maori Development. The reverse depicts the Kokako bird. She brought two sets of five stamps each depicting the Brown Kiwi bird and the beauty of the Great Lake Taupo region. The word ‘Kiwi’ is used to indicate New Zealanders as well.

Among the souvenirs she brought from Aotearoa is a picture postcard that shows a Maori clad traditionally and wielding a Mere (short club). The polyresin image shows a Maori boy dressed in the traditional Maori costume of a korowai (cloak) & pounamu (greenstone) carving around his neck, and with the long-handle  Taiaha weapon. This is a cute ‘fridge magnet’ memorabilia. The long earrings are made of Kauri tree, perhaps modelled after Taiaha. The wooden head ‘Upoko Whakairo’ serves as a tribute to ancestors; it is believed to harness their ‘mana’ (power) and support the possessor. The iron oxide rich black beach sand is from Ngarunui Beach. The cutest are the smooth pebbles and sea shells. The few coins she brought form an interesting collection – Issued during the reign of Queen Elizabeth –II they depict kiwi, crane, Maori designs and a portcullis (gate). 

The tiny stamp of 1940 has led me to discover the Maori Aotearoa by simply sitting in my armchair. No wonder philately is called the King of Hobbies!  Background source: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/people/abel-tasman

… krishnanbala2004@yahoo.co.in / 9840917608 WhatsApp