S1-E12: New Zealand: First Contact

In this episode, Georg Forster and the crew of the HMS Resolution continue their exploration of Dusky Bay in the remote fjords of Fiordland, New Zealand. As Captain Cook maps the hidden waterways, Georg and his father document the region’s rich wildlife and plant life. Along the way, they discover Indian Island, where they make first contact with a small Māori family. What begins as a tense encounter soon turns into a moment of understanding, as gifts are exchanged and a cautious friendship forms.

**First contact in Dusky Bay – a cautious meeting between the Resolution’s crew and a Māori family in the wilds of Fiordland. – Click on the image to listen to this episode on YouTube.**

Meanwhile, the crew refines their spruce beer brewing to fight scurvy, but the relentless rain and mist turn life on board into a struggle against damp and decay. As they adapt to their surroundings, fresh fish becomes their staple, prepared in every possible way. Yet, even in this land of plenty, their livestock suffers, revealing the challenges of introducing European animals to the South Pacific.

Join the journey as the crew faces the realities of survival, cultural encounters, and the raw beauty of New Zealand’s untouched wilderness.

Episode graphic info:

This image is a historical watercolor painting depicting a scene of trade between a Māori person and a European, likely from the time of Captain James Cook’s voyages to New Zealand in the 18th century. The Māori individual on the left is dressed in a traditional flax cloak and appears to have moko (facial tattoos), a cultural marker of identity and status among the Māori. The European on the right is wearing a tricorn hat and a long coat, characteristic of 18th-century European naval or exploration attire.

At the center of the exchange is a large crayfish (or spiny lobster), which the Māori person is offering. The European appears to be handing over some sort of manufactured goods, possibly a metal tool or another trade item. This scene reflects the first encounters between Māori and Europeans, where goods were exchanged—often Māori providing food or local resources in return for metal tools, weapons, or other European products.

The painting is attributed to Omai (Mai), a Polynesian who traveled to England with Captain Cook and later returned to the Pacific. If indeed painted by Omai, this image is significant because it offers an indigenous perspective on European contact. His unique viewpoint as a Pacific Islander who lived in both cultures would have influenced how he depicted these exchanges.

This artwork is valuable for understanding cross-cultural interactions during the Age of Exploration and highlights the complex relationships formed between indigenous peoples and European explorers.