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Story: European discovery of New Zealand

The Chatham Islands

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The Chatham Islands

In 1791 William Broughton became the first European to discover the islands east of New Zealand which he named after his ship, Chatham. This view of the Chatham Islands was taken by Robin Morrison.

Using this item

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira

Reference: RMLA, p. 112

by Robin Morrison

Courtesy of the Estate of Robin Morrison

Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

John Wilson, European discovery of New Zealand – Explorers after Cook, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/3923/the-chatham-islands (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by John Wilson, published 4 March 2009, updated 1 May 2016.