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Why did James Cook look for New Zealand?

Updated: 8/16/2019
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15y ago

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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.

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Q: Why did James Cook look for New Zealand?
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Related questions

On which voyage did James Cook chart New Zealand?

James Cook circumnavigated and charted New Zealand on his first voyage, the one in which he commanded the Endeavour.


What city did James cook discover in New Zealand first?

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.


What name did Captain James Cook give New Zealand?

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.


What was James Cook's ship to Australia and New Zealand?

When James Cook came across New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia in 1770, he was commanding the HMS Bark Endeavour.


What is the name of the ship that captain cook sailed when he discovered New Zealand?

HMS Endeavour. (Note: James Cook did not discover New Zealand.)


How many voyages did Captain Cook make to Australia and New Zealand?

James Cook only travelled to New Zealand and Australia once.


Did Captain James Cook sail all around New Zealand?

Yes. Lieutenant James Cook (not a captain at that stage) circumnavigated the main islands of New Zealand in 1769 and 1770.


How old was James cook when he discovered New Zealand?

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.


Was james cook the first person to visit new Zealand?

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.


Was James Cook the first on New Zealand?

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.


When did James Cook visit New Zealand?

James Cook visited New Zealand between October 1769 and February 1770. During this time, he circumnavigated and charted the North and South Islands.


In what year did Captain Cook explore New Zealand?

James Cook (not yet a captain) explored New Zealand in 1769, just prior to his arrival in Australia.