Story: Scandinavians

Spöring Memorial and Spöring Island, Tolaga Bay

Spöring Memorial and Spöring Island, Tolaga Bay

The Spöring Memorial (top) in Turku, Finland, featuring a rock from the island, Pourewa. The island was once known as Spöring Island, after the Finnish draughtsman Herman Spöring, the first Finn to land in New Zealand in 1769. This island is in Tolaga Bay and lies just offshore from Cook’s Cove, seen here in the distance (bottom).

Using this item

Tairawhiti Museum, Te Whare Taonga O Te Tairawhiti

Permission of Tairawhiti Museum, PO Box 716, Gisborne, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Photograph of the Spöring Memorial courtesy of the City of Turku (photographer Raakkel Närhi)

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Scandinavians - 1642–1870: first arrivals', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/228/sporing-memorial-and-sporing-island-tolaga-bay (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Mar 2015