Why was Abel Tasman afraid to land in New Zealand?

Buddy1

Abel Tasman believed he landed on what he thought was connected to Staten Island, Argentina. Proceeding north, he came across what he called Murderers' Bay (not that attractive of a name). He didn't realize his mistake, and although he was the first European to reach New Zealand, there wouldn't be another one for quite some time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abel_Tasman May 31 10, 11:02 AM

star_gazer

Tasman had intended to proceed in a northerly direction but as the wind was unfavourable he steered east. On 13 December they sighted land on the north-west coast of the South Island, New Zealand, becoming the first Europeans to do so. Tasman named it Staten Landt on the assumption that it was connected to an island (Staten Island, Argentina) at the south of the tip of South America. Proceeding north and then east one of his boats was attacked by Mâori in waka, and four of his men were killed. Tasman named it Murderers' Bay (now known as Golden Bay) and sailed north, but mistook Cook Strait for a bight (naming it Zeehaen's Bight). Two names that he bestowed on New Zealand landmarks still endure: Cape Maria van Diemen and Three Kings Islands (Cabo Pieter Boreels is now known as Cape Egmont). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abel_Tasman May 31 10, 11:22 AM