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Story: European discovery of New Zealand

Tasman Road, Ōtaki

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Tasman Road, Ōtaki

Abel Tasman’s name has been given to many of New Zealand’s geographical features, including its second highest mountain, its largest glacier, and a national park in the north-west of the South Island. His name has also been given to minor features from one end of the country to the other – many towns and cities have a Tasman Street or Road, such as this street in Ōtaki, north of Wellington.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

by Melanie Lovell-Smith

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How to cite this page

John Wilson, European discovery of New Zealand – Tasman’s achievement, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/1411/tasman-road-otaki (accessed 24 June 2026).

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