When James Cook came across New Zealand, following his official mission of observing the transit of Venus in June 1769, it was because he was searching for the Great Southern continent which many believed existed. He was not specifically looking for New Zealand, as Abel Tasman had already discovered it is 1642. New Zealand was on Cook's route to find the "Unknown" continent, and a useful place to trade for fresh supplies.
James Cook circumnavigated and charted New Zealand on his first voyage, the one in which he commanded the Endeavour.
When James Cook first arrived in New Zealand, there were no cities. The indigenous people of New Zealand, the Maori, who were the first people there, did not build cities.
James Cook did not name New Zealand. New Zealand had already been named by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1642 - over 130 years before Cook's expedition.
When James Cook came across New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia in 1770, he was commanding the HMS Bark Endeavour.
HMS Endeavour. (Note: James Cook did not discover New Zealand.)
James Cook only travelled to New Zealand and Australia once.
Yes. Lieutenant James Cook (not a captain at that stage) circumnavigated the main islands of New Zealand in 1769 and 1770.
Captain Cook did not discover New Zealand. He circumnavigated New Zealand in 1769-1770. New Zealand was discovered by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1642.James Cook's expedition was the second European expedition to reach New Zealand, doing so in August 1769. Cook managed to circumnavigate and chart New Zealand, before going on to chart the eastern coast of Australia.
Yes; James Cook is believed to be the first European to actually land on New Zealand soil. He was not, however, the first European to discover New Zealand - that was achieved by Abel Tasman in 1642.
Captain James Cook was the first known European to actually land on New Zealand, although the islands had been discovered by Abel Tasman in 1642.
James Cook visited New Zealand between October 1769 and February 1770. During this time, he circumnavigated and charted the North and South Islands.
James Cook (not yet a captain) explored New Zealand in 1769, just prior to his arrival in Australia.