On 12 December 1642, the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman discovered New Zealand.

Abel Tasman (Dutch: Abel Tasman, 10 October 1603-1659) was a Dutch explorer and businessman.

He was born in Groningen, the Netherlands, and with the funding of the Dutch East India Company, he made two successful expeditions in 1642 and 1644, discovering Tasmania, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji.

He was hired by the Dutch East India Company in the 17th and 30s, serving on the route from Batavia to the Moroccan Islands. In 1638, he also took his wife to Batavia and settled in the East.

In 1642 he was ordered to search for the "Lost Southern Continent", and on November 24, he discovered Tasmania, and named it "Van Diman" after the Dutch Governor of East India, Anthony van Diman. On December 13, he arrived on New Zealand's Southern Island, and after a little exploration, he mistakenly thought it was the southern end of South America, and then continued north, on December 18, his fleet was attacked by the Maori and lost four sailors. On January 21, 1643, he discovered Tonga, then sailed back, and on the way found Fiji.

During his second voyage in 1644, Tasman crossed the Strait of Torres, but he did not realize that the continent of Australia was in the south, missing the opportunity to discover the new continent. Though his voyage discovered many places, it failed to open new trade routes, so until a century later, after James Cook rediscovered these places, Tasman's merit was truly recognized.

Now his name is listed among the greatest sailors, with the island of Tasmania and the sea of Tasmania named after him.

Comments: To dare to break through, can have great discoveries.