He had no influence on the fijians, he was just passing through Fiji. He did not even land in Fiji.
13th December 1642.
Dutch Explorer Abel Tasman in 1872.
1643
Dutch Explorer Abel Tasman.
The original inhabitants of Fiji are referred to as Lapita people who settled in Fiji 3,500 years ago. Europeans later discovered Fiji.
The Fiji Islands were discovered at an unknown time thousands of years ago by Pacific Islanders who settled there. The islands were discovered by Europeans in 1643 by the Dutch explorer Tasman.
Abel Tasman, a Dutch explorer in 1643
Dutch Explorer Abel Tasman. Later on by British Navigator Captain James Cook.
Yes, Abel Tasman a Dutch Explorer discovered Fiji first but did not land in any of its island. He crossed the two main Islands of Fiji. The body water he crossed is now known as the Tasman Sea. Captain James Cook an English navigator followed, decided to land and named the Islands FeeJee (Fiji).
he discovered Tasmania, New Zealand and Fiji Islands
The first European to have sailed past Fiji was by Abel Tasman, a Dutch Explorer in 1643. source: http://www.fijituwawa.com/history.shtml