16. What did we learn about Cristóvão de Mendonça's expedition in 1522/23?

This Blog Series explores the history of European exploration in New Zealand, focusing on the possibility of Portuguese or Spanish navigators arriving before Abel Tasman in 1642. It begins by discussing Portugal's commercial aims in the 16th century, particularly the control of the spice trade and the search for new gold sources. The Portuguese, led by explorers like Cristóvão de Mendonça, dominated the spice and gold trades and expanded their empire from Africa to Southeast Asia.

Cristóvão de Mendonça's expedition in 1522/23 is highlighted as a significant event. Mendonça set sail from Malacca, Malaysia, with four ships to explore Australia's east coast and New Zealand's North Island. His fleet mapped the eastern coastline of Australia and most of the North Island of New Zealand, long before other European explorers officially recorded their discoveries. The Vallard Atlas, part of the Dieppe Portulan map series, contains detailed maps of these voyages, showcasing the navigational achievements of the Portuguese.

This Blog Series also examines the credibility of the Vallard map of Illa do Magna, which depicts the North Island of New Zealand. It discusses Mendonça's voyage around the North Island, including his encounters with severe storms and his exploration of various coastal features. The map's accuracy and the presence of Portuguese place names suggest that Mendonça's voyage was a genuine exploration.

Evidence supporting Mendonça's presence in Wellington Harbour is presented, including the discovery of a sixteenth-century European iron helmet and a large iron cannonball. These findings, along with Māori oral traditions, indicate that Mendonça's crew visited the area. The document also mentions a British chart from 1817 that refers to the area as the "Gulf of the Portuguese 1550," further supporting the theory of Portuguese exploration.

This Blog Series concludes by discussing why Portugal did not follow up on Mendonça's discoveries. The Treaty of Tordesillas and the Treaty of Zaragoza, along with more pressing priorities in other regions, led Portugal to focus on other areas. The Portuguese defeat in North Maluku in 1575 and the subsequent rise of Dutch influence in Southeast Asia also contributed to Portugal's reduced presence in the region.

Overall, this Blog Series provides a detailed account of early European exploration in New Zealand, highlighting the significant contributions of Portuguese navigators like Cristóvão de Mendonça and the evidence supporting their presence in the region.

Your next read in the series: 17. What are the key findings we have learnt in New Zealand's Early European Explorers?