"Portrait of a New Zealander, with
a comb
in his hair, an ornament of green stone
in his ear, and another of fish's tooth
round his neck."
from A
Continuation of A Voyage to New Holland,
e-c. in the year 1699 …
London: By W. Botham for J. Knapton, 1709.
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From Tahiti, the Endeavor made its way to New Zealand.
The Dutchman Aabel Jansen Tasman was the first European to visit
and describe New Zealand, which he thought may form a part of
the great Southern Continent that was thought to lie near the
pole. His encounter was limited to a portion of the west coast.
Cook sailed the strait between the two islands; and he explored,
surveyed, circumnavigated and mapped them. The New Zealanders
(the name Maori was not used by early voyagers) did not welcome
Cook to their land, and he used force.
"I am conscious that the feeling of every reader
of humanity will censure me for having fired upon these unhappy
people… They certainly did not deserve death for not chusing
to confide in my promises… but the nature of my service
required me to obtain a knowledge of their country."
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Cook describes the bodily ornamentation of New Zealanders:
"The bodies of both sexes are marked with the black
stains called Amoco… and [the method is] called Tattowing;
but the men are more marked… The marks upon the face in
general are spirals, which are drawn with great nicety, and even
elegance…"
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