Pieces falling into place in ‘conquistador puzzle’

Research by a former Mahurangi resident, which suggests Portuguese and Spanish explorers could have been the first Europeans to visit New Zealand, has opened the door to a Government review of the topic.

Winston Cowie published The Conquistador Puzzle Trail last year after researching alternative theories for the European discovery of NZ. The book looks at evidence, including maps of Portuguese and Spanish voyages, which suggests Portuguese explorers could have visited Aotearoa between 1520 and 1524, followed by the Spanish in 1576-78.

Last August, Winston wrote to the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, asking for the theories to be included in the Government’ s online encyclopedia, Te Ara, which made no mention of the possible Iberian discoveries in its NZ history section.

The Ministry has reviewed its entry on the European discovery of NZ after reading Winston’ s book and it updated the article this month, conceding that it is possible Spanish and Portuguese ships visited NZ in the 15th century, but further evidence is needed.

“Spanish or Portuguese ships…may have reached, or become wrecked on the New Zealand coast,” the updated entry states. “But there is no firm evidence of Europeans reaching New Zealand before Abel Tasman in 1642.

“Although fragmentary information found in Portuguese and Spanish archives suggests at least the possibility of earlier arrivals, no one before Tasman reported the discovery of new land that can be identified as New Zealand.”

The Ministry says it will now conduct a more thorough review into alternative theories of the European discovery of NZ. Winston has now been included in the list of sources for the article.Although the encyclopedia doesn’ t state the Iberian discoveries were “probable”, as Winston believes, he says it is a huge step towards having an open debate on the topic.

“I am a glass half full kind of guy – history wasn’ t written in a day,” Winston says. “Moving forward, and with the knowledge that a thorough review will come, I will be strongly advocating for additional changes to be made. “I am very happy and humbled to have been added to the key sources list.”

Winston grew up in Mahurangi and his family still lives in the area, but he now works as a marine policy manager in Abu Dhabi.