New Zealand’s Early European Explorers: Uncovering Hidden History

Abel Tasman’s 1642 expedition is widely accepted as the first European arrival in New Zealand—but could Portuguese or Spanish navigators have ventured here earlier? Portugal (like India before it) had two commercial aims: control of the East’s spice trade and the acquisition of gold. Gold was important for the manufacture of coinage and if there was a shortage it could restrict business. By the early 1500’s the supply of gold from Africa was in decline. New sources had to be

Mendonça’s fleet mapped the eastern coastline of Australia and most of the North Island of New Zealand long before other modern European explorers officially recorded their discoveries. The map is included in the Vallard Atlas, part of the Dieppe Portulan map series stored in the Huntington Library, San Marino, California, USA . Vallard Atlas Front Cover The Vallard Atlas is a remarkable collection of maps that depict the extensive Portuguese voyages of the time with astonish

Mendonca had departed from Malacca, Malaysia with four ships in January 1522. Mendonca sailed a 3 masted carrack (1000-2000 tonnes). By comparison, it could sail at twice the speed of Cook’s 368 tonnes Endeavour 250 years later. Cristóvão de Mendonça’s Carrack Mendonca’s Fleet Enroute to New Zealand (Conceptual) Second ship a caravel, third a bargantim or brigantine, the fourth, a parau – Malay sailing vessel (Captain Goncalo Homem)- this ship was designed for close inshore e

Mendonca’s voyage around the North Island continues as we further explore the Portuguese discovery of New Zealand and New Zealand’s early European explorers . Mendonca decided to sail south of Mt Egmont (Taranaki). The Vallard Map shows the coastline running east and eventually turning back toward the southwest before ending abruptly at a prominent round headland. This headland matches the shape of Cape Terawhiti, at the extreme southwestern point of the North Island. Illa do

Mendonca’s voyage around the North Island continues. North of the Bay of Plenty is a small promontory or headland representing a truncated Coromandel Peninsula and an offshore island. This corresponds in both shape and position to the mountainous Great Barrier Island. The island seems to have been drawn on a larger scale. The two harbours on the island’s sheltered western coast are shown in some detail, suggesting Mendonca may have moored there. The harbour of Tryphena, at th

Mendonca’s chart of Wellington Harbour is meticulously detailed, highlighting key features that could only be captured through firsthand experience. The harbour would have been an ideal location for the Portuguese to make repairs and replenish their fresh water supply after enduring a storm off Australia’s eastern coast. Over the years, evidence has surfaced supporting Mendonca’s presence in Wellington Harbour. Around 1900, the Wellington Museum acquired an iron helmet found

After clearing Great Barrier Island, Mendonca’s priority was to set course for the Portuguese base in Malacca, Malaysia. By then, it would be around one year since he left Malacca, likely early autumn in the South Pacific. He would be sailing at the right time to take advantage of the strengthening southeast trade winds to return to Malacca and then India. Mendonca needed to reach Goa, the major Portuguese naval base for the Far East, by September 1523 to avoid the contrary w

Preamble: The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, was an agreement between Spain and Portugal to divide newly discovered lands outside of Europe. It established a line of demarcation, with Spain claiming lands to the west and Portugal to the east. This division aimed to prevent conflict between the two powers during their age of exploration and colonisation. Treaty of Tordesillas 1494 Division Line Between Portugal and Spain The Portuguese had strong incentives to keep an