Discovering Tasman St: A Historical Journey Through Vogeltown

Located in Vogeltown, Tasman St is a cul-de-sac that originates from Broadmore St. Established in 1951, this street is named after Abel Janszoon Tasman, the Dutch explorer recognized as the first European to sight Aotearoa, which he originally named Staten Landt in honor of the parliament in his homeland of the Netherlands. The naming of Tasman St reflects a broader theme in the neighbourhood, where several streets pay tribute to notable explorers, including Walter Raleigh and Francis Drake.

Tasman’s life began around 1603 in the Netherlands. He engaged in anti-smuggling operations and various marine initiatives for the government before joining the Dutch East India Company in 1634. His most notable expedition began in 1642, when he was commissioned to explore parts of Australia and South America. Departing from Batavia, now known as Jakarta, he set sail with two ships, the Heemskerck and the Zeehaen, in August of that year.

During his journey, Tasman sighted and named Van Diemen’s Land, which is now called Tasmania, in November 1642. He continued his voyage eastward, and on December 13, he glimpsed Ōkārito on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The expedition anchored near what is now known as Abel Tasman National Park, where Tasman and his crew became the first Pākehā to come into contact with the Māori on the evening of December 18.

The expedition, however, was fraught with challenges. After a tragic encounter in a location they named Moordenaers, or Murderers Bay, which is now called Golden Bay, Tasman and his crew continued their journey along the west coast. They celebrated Christmas with a modest dinner of pork and extra rations of wine. Their exploration took them north along the west coast of the North Island, but poor weather conditions in Taranaki obscured the view of the magnificent peak of Taranaki Maunga and the Sugar Loaves, which were hidden by clouds. Nevertheless, Tasman did manage to identify Cape Egmont, which he named Kapp Pieter Boreel after a colleague in the East India Company. This name was later changed by Captain James Cook in 1769.

After leading several more expeditions, Tasman retired in 1653 and passed away in Batavia in 1659.

In the context of local culture, the New Plymouth Repertory Society theatre has occupied the corner of Tasman and Broadmore streets since 1973, originally known as Repertory House. Beyond Vogeltown, there is another Tasman St located in Ōpunake. Additionally, New Plymouth once featured a Tasman Hotel, which was converted in the 1990s into the Richmond Estate apartments, maintaining its views over the Tasman Sea.

For those interested in the rich history of local streets, the Taranaki Research Centre at Te Pua Wānanga o Taranaki, located at Puke Ariki, offers a wealth of information. Visitors can explore hundreds of street histories, including that of Tasman St, through the Napier District Council’s dedicated website.