1642 - Abel Tasman discovers Tasmania and New Zealand.

In 1642, Abel Tasman was the first European explorer to discover Tasmania and New Zealand.

Tasman was a Dutch explorer and navigator from the Dutch East India Company.

Tasman set out from Batavia (now Jakarta, Indonesia) in August 1642 in two ships, Heemskerck and Zeehaen.

At the end of November 1642, Tasman sailed across the top of New Zealand, but was unable to make contact with the Maori people.

Tasman then sailed south and on 13 December he sighted land at what is now known as the south-west corner of Tasmania.

He named the land Van Diemen's Land after Anthony van Diemen, the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies.

Tasman then travelled around the south and east coasts of Tasmania and then sailed north to the west coast of New Zealand.

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