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Story: Māori

‘A view of the Murderers’ Bay’

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‘A view of the Murderers’ Bay’

In 1642 Abel Tasman and his two ships, the Heemskerck and the Zeehaen, arrived in Golden Bay. This first encounter between Europeans and Māori did not go well, as a misunderstanding saw the deaths of some of Tasman’s crew and some Māori. Later, the area became known as Murderers’ Bay.

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Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: PUBL-0086-021

by Isaac Gilsemans

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, Māori – The arrival of Europeans, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/2593/a-view-of-the-murderers-bay (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, published 3 March 2009.