Abel Tasman vs James Cook

Tasman sighted the west coast of New Zealand's South Island, becoming the first European to reach the islands. He charted parts of the coastline but did not land due to hostile encounters with Maori.

Tasman discovered the island of Tasmania, which he named Van Diemen's Land. He charted its coastline and claimed it for the Netherlands, though no settlement was established.

Tasman sailed along the northern coast of New Guinea, mapping parts of the island. He also charted the Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon Islands, expanding Dutch knowledge of the Pacific.

Tasman sighted the Fiji Islands during his Pacific voyage. He did not land but charted the islands, making him the first European to record their existence.

Cook commanded HMS Endeavour on a scientific expedition to observe the transit of Venus in Tahiti. He then sailed to New Zealand, mapping its coastline, and charted the east coast of Australia, claiming it for Britain as New South Wales.

Cook led a two-ship expedition to search for the hypothetical southern continent. He crossed the Antarctic Circle, charted many Pacific islands, and proved that no large landmass existed in the southern ocean, using a chronometer for precise navigation.

Cook attempted to find the Northwest Passage from the Pacific. After exploring the Hawaiian Islands, he returned to Hawaii in 1779. A conflict with native Hawaiians over a stolen boat escalated, and Cook was killed on the beach at Kealakekua Bay.