Abel Tasman, Dutch merchant and explorer (born 1603)

Abel Tasman

Dutch seafarer, explorer and merchant (1603–1659)

Abel Janszoon Tasman was a Dutch seafarer and explorer, best known for his voyages of 1642 and 1644 in the service of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). He was the first European to reach New Zealand, which he named Staten Landt. He was also the eponym of Tasmania.