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3. What do we know about Mendonca’s voyage of exploration around the North Island of New Zealand?

  • Writer: Kerry Paul
    Kerry Paul
  • Sep 15
  • 2 min read
Vintage illustration of a ship and compass on brown background with text: What do we know about Mendonca’s voyage around North Island of New Zealand?

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.


Sketch of a galleon ship with large sails on a faded parchment. Text reads “demédosa.” The setting is monochrome and historical.
Cristóvão de Mendonça’s Carrack
Three sailing ships with large white sails on a stormy sea, set against a dramatic cloudy sky. The mood is tense and adventurous.
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 exploration.


Mendonca's initial mission involved exploring the eastern coastline of Australia, which will be detailed later. After completing this journey, Mendonca encountered severe storms along the southern coast of Victoria and unable to find safe shelter decided to head east.


Mendonca may have discovered the North Island by accident while trying to escape the violent storms moving north up the Victorian coast from the Bass Strait. Unable to find safe shelter on the southeastern Australian coast, his ship, built to run before the wind and seas, headed east across the Tasman Sea.


Illustrated ship with red crosses on sails. Text above and below mentions Cristóvão de Mendonça, navigation, and historical journals.
Mendonca’s Carrack

An important feature on the Illa do magna map is an island shown off the west coast of the North Island. If Mendonca approached Mt Egmont (Taranaki) from the west, the volcano surrounded by low-lying land could appear as an island. Mendonca did not have the aid of a telescope. The Vallard Map shows that part of the western coast of the North Island, north of Cape Egmont, was mapped. Cape Egmont is the westernmost point of Taranaki. Mendonca’s carrack and/or smaller ships may have sailed north for a distance before deciding to turn back. The currents and winds along the northwestern coast of the North Island are difficult and have resulted in many shipwrecks over time.

Antique map depicting islands with handwritten labels in red and black ink. Lines radiate from a point, with earthy tones and compass rose.
Illa do Magna ( North Island, New Zealand)

The following blogs describe Mendonca’s voyage based on the Vallard map of Illa do Magna and further analyses the Portuguese discovery of New Zealand and New Zealand’s early European explorers.





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Kerry Paul Business man and blogger
Kerry Paul – Stepping Out of Your Bubble Author
​

Hi, I'm Kerry. I enjoy challenging people by asking questions and presenting different views to encourage critical thinking. My 45-year career has always had a global focus, building successful relationships in over 50 countries. I am empathetic to diverse views, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, religion, culture, or socio-economic status. Join me on a captivating journey as we explore how India shaped the world over two thousand years ago, potentially leading to the first settlement of New Zealand. This blog series aims to expand readers' awareness and knowledge of how people may have come to New Zealand in pre-Polynesian times. Given the time constraints many readers face, I am providing a platform for them to consider these intriguing possibilities in easy-to-read blog posts.

 

Who were the first people to settle in New Zealand? How did India possibly contribute to any development, given its major role over 2000 years ago in some of New Zealand’s closest neighbours? These questions will guide our exploration and open up a rich dialogue about the historical connections and cultural exchanges that may have shaped New Zealand's early settlements.

 

I'd be more than happy to discuss with readers of my blog about India, its history as well as New Zealand and the suggested origins of its first settlers. 

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