Abel Tasman Memorial
Introduction
Abel Tasman was the Dutch navigator whose expedition made the first European sighting of New Zealand in 1642. An easy five-minute walking track leads to a viewing platform and the memorial which stands on a limestone outcrop above the sea. Built in 1942 to commemorate the centenary of Tasman's visit, the memorial was 'reopened' in 1992 by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. It is interesting to compare the new and old interpretation signs, which reveal how our perspective on Tasman's visit has changed in the intervening 50 years.
Dogs are not allowed in Abel Tasman National Park.
Getting there
Abel Tasman Memorial
The Abel Tasman memorial is situated beside the main road, in an outlying section of Abel Tasman National Park, just beyond Port Tarakohe. It is about 12 km north-east from Takaka on the road to Totaranui. Look for the carpark and signpost a short distance past the Tarakohe boat harbour, where a short well-maintained track leads from to the memorial.
Features
Tasman’s log records that a little after night-fall on 18 December 1642 while his ships the Heemskerck and Zeehaen lay at anchor in the bay, four canoes manned by local Maori came to the ships. No real contact was made on this first visit and the canoes returned to the shore. In the uneasy dawn the next day, eight well-manned canoes came out again. As tension mounted a small boat from the Zeehaen acting as a ferry between the two ships was rammed by the leading canoe. A skirmish followed and four of Tasman’s men were killed. Anchors were quickly weighed and the Dutch ships swiftly departed. On-site interpretation panels give visitors more information about this incident.
Activities
Photography
From the carpark a 300 m walk takes you to the memorial site where you are rewarded with scenic and photographic opportunities of the Tata Islands and Ligar Bay.