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After Lieutenant (not yet Captain) James Cook circumnavigated New Zealand, he then continued west, until he reached the southeastern corner of mainland Australia. When he reached Australia's eastern coast, he then travelled north, charting the new territory.

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14y ago
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10y ago

Lieutenant (later Captain) James Cook was the first known European to explore New Zealand. He did not discover the islands, as this was done first by the Polynesians, then 'formally' later by Abel Tasman. However, Cook was the one who circumnavigated the islands, charting them at the same time.

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13y ago

James Cook was under orders to find and claim any new lands that were not already inhabited by Europeans. His task was to make observations and report on possible sites for future colonisation by the British.

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11y ago

He re-discovered it after Abel Tasman from Holland did.

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Q: Why did James Cook explore New Zealand?
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Related questions

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.


What year did captain cook explore NZ?

Captain James Cook explored the New Zealand coast line in the year 1769. He returned to New Zealand in 1774.


What years did captain cook explore nz waters?

Captain James Cook explored the New Zealand coast line in the year 1769. He returned to New Zealand in 1774.


Which country did James Cook explore and why?

James Cook spent several months exploring both New Zealand and Australia. He circumnavigated, and charted both main islands of New Zealand, and he charted the eastern coast of Australia.


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.