Captain James Cook

Captain James Cook was an English explorer.  He is famous for discovering New Zealand after the Maoris came.

He was born 27th October, 1728 in Marton, England.  He died at the age of 51 on the 14th February, 1779 when killed by natives at the Hawaiian Islands.  He sailed on the Endeavour ship to New Zealand.  A picture of the ship can be found on our 50 cent.

During his trip he visited Tahiti, the Society Islands and New Zealand.  He mapped the two main islands of New Zealand, but also ended up fighting with the local Maori tribe.

In early October 1769, Captain Cook and his crew reached a southern land that was new to them.  For the Maori people it was a time of fear because the white people bought disease and guns to shoot them.

Captain Cooks second expedition took place from 1772-1775.  He took two ships, the Adventure and the Resolution.  His goal was to discover the southern continent or prove that it does not exist and he did it.

Captain James Cook was born on the 27th October, 1728 in Marton, England and got killed by natives at the Hawaiian Islands.  Cook and his crew found a southern land that was new to them.