A Draught of the South Land: Mapping New Zealand from Tasman to Cook.

The article reviews "A Draught of the South Land: Mapping New Zealand from Tasman to Cook" by Paul Moon, which examines the historical, political, and cartographic developments surrounding New Zealand from 1620 to 1770. The book begins with a focus on Dutch cartographer Hessel Gerritsz and the establishment of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), detailing the interplay of commerce and exploration that shaped European perceptions of Aotearoa. While the text highlights significant figures like Abel Tasman and James Cook, it has been noted for underemphasizing the impacts of colonial exploration on Indigenous populations and for its Eurocentric perspective. Overall, the book is praised for its engaging narrative and contextualization of exploration within broader socio-economic frameworks, making it a valuable resource for historians interested in cartography and cross-cultural encounters. [Extracted from the article]