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Story: European discovery of New Zealand

Dumont d'Urville's charts

In 1827, after discovering French Pass and sailing through Cook Strait, Dumont d’Urville examined the east coast, from Cape Campbell to Whangārei. During this survey he prepared these two charts, showing Tolaga Bay (top), and Bream Bay with the entrance to Whangārei Harbour.

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Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: MapColl-832.11aj/1827/Acc.32474

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

John Wilson, European discovery of New Zealand – French explorers, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/1441/dumont-durvilles-charts (accessed 24 June 2026).

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