Welcome kicks off 375th anniversary celebration

Dutch visitors were officially welcomed into Golden Bay on Saturday as the 375th anniversary celebration kicked off for the weekend.

First Encounter 375 echoes the two voyaging cultures coming together for the first time as a key change point in history, especially for Ma¯ori.

The historic event is one of the area’s biggest heritage celebrations, and marks the viol- ent 1642 encounter when explorer Abel Tasman first met Ma¯ori on Golden Bay shores.

Iwi from the top of the South Island, Manawhenua ki Mohua, Nga¯ti Tama, Nga¯ti Ra¯rua and Te

tiawa gathered to welcome guests. Also present were descendents of the original iwi who first met Tasman, Nga¯ti Tamatakokori.

It was the first time in 375 years that Nga¯ti Tumatakokiri and the Dutch have been together in the original location of that first encounter.

The commemoration began on Saturday, with a powhiri at Onetahua Marae for visiting dignitaries, followed by a large public opening event at the Pohara Hall.

Visitors included Mayor of Grootegast, near Tasman’s birthplace in the Netherlands, Aark van der Tuuk. Accompanying them was Dutch Ambassador, Rob Zaagman.

Also present were Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage, Nelson MP Nick Smith and West Coast -Tasman MP Damien O’Connor.

Dutch Ambassador Rob Zaagman said the Netherlands was a seafaring nation, much the same as the Ma¯ori and Polynesians were.

‘‘In the end, we met and in the beginning, it was not a good thing; but after so many centuries we have become good friends, and that is what we are celebrating over these few days.’’

The celebration started on Saturday and finishes tomorrow. It includes historical displays at the Pohara Hall, local history talks, guided tours and boat trips, movies and documentaries.