Historian rubbishes claims of pre-Tasman European discovery of NZ

Dr Paul Moon, who is Professor of History at Te Ara Poutama – AUT’s Faculty of Maori Development – has dismissed the latest claims that pre-Abel Tasman Spanish and Portuguese explorers reached New Zealand.

“These theories have been floating around for decades,” he says, “but there is still not a solitary piece of evidence that has been found that confirms any European reached New Zealand before Tasman. If thwere is any evidence, let’s see it.”

Dr Moon’s comments come in the wake of the decision by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage to update its “Te Ara” history website to include the possibility that “Spanish or Portuguese ships sailing out of Callao or Acapulco, or from the East Indies, may have reached, or become wrecked on the New Zealand coast.”

Dr Moon says that while the Ministry’s language is cautious, there should be no such admission without tangible evidence: “It is entirely possible that Spanish or Portuguese ships reached New Zealand before Tasman, but without proof, it is nothing more than speculation.” He is also concerned that this move by “Te Ara” will be used by various conspiracy theorists who have long argued that New Zealand was settled prior to the Maori arrival in the county.

ENDS

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