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Story: European discovery of New Zealand

The Astrolabe in French Pass

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The <em>Astrolabe</em> in French Pass

The last of the French explorers who contributed to the growing body of knowledge about New Zealand was J. S. C. Dumont d’Urville. He made the dramatic navigation in January 1827 of his ship the Astrolabe through French Pass. This painting is by the artist Louis Auguste de Sainson, who accompanied Dumont d’Urville.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: B-052-004

by Alfred-leon Lemercier

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/artwork/1440/the-astrolabe-in-french-pass (accessed 4 June 2026).

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