Story: European discovery of New Zealand

British Pacific expeditions

British Pacific expeditions

After Francis Drake’s circumnavigation of the world between 1577 and 1580, there was little English interest in the south-west Pacific until the 18th century. Renewed curiosity was evidenced by the voyage of John Byron (1764–66), the route of which is marked on this map. Byron was quickly followed by Samuel Wallis, who reached Tahiti in 1767, and then James Cook, whose three voyages between 1768 and 1778 are also marked on the map.

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How to cite this page:

John Wilson, 'European discovery of New Zealand - James Cook', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/map/1413/british-pacific-expeditions (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by John Wilson, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 May 2016