Story: Place names

Cook’s map of New Zealand

British navigator James Cook made the first map of the entire New Zealand coastline during his visit in 1769–70. Many surviving place names conferred by Cook appear on the map, including East Cape, Cape Campbell and Cape Farewell. It also shows names conferred by Abel Tasman (such as Cape Maria van Diemen) and Māori names (such as Toaipoonamoo for Te Wai Pounamu, the South Island).

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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: PUBL-0037-25

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:

Malcolm McKinnon, 'Place names - Naming the country and the main islands', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/19330/cooks-map-of-new-zealand (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Malcolm McKinnon, published 24 Nov 2008