December 13 is the day the Dutch sailor Abel Tasman arrived in New Zealand for the first time from Europe

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On December 1642, 13, Abel Tasman, a Dutch sailor, was the first European to visit New Zealand. The second European to visit was James Cook. In 1769-70, the English navigator James Cook explored the islands. Members of his expedition landed in the New Zealand Islands on October 1769, 8. James Cook declared these lands the property of King George of New Zealand. At the same time, the process of conquest of Maori lands began. In 1840, England became the colony of New Zealand. In 1907, New Zealand received the status of Domion. Based on the decisions approved by the Westminster status in 1931, New Zealand gained full independence in foreign and domestic affairs. Today, New Zealand is a parliamentary monarchy that is part of the British-led Commonwealth.