Europeans. The Endeavour, commanded by Lieutenant James Cook, sailed into the bay in 1769. Cook named it Bay of Plenty, because the people were generous and there were lots of fish, timber and other supplies. From the 1870s onwards European settlers arrived in numbers.

What is the Maori name for the Bay of Plenty?

Ocean of Toi-te-Huatahi The Māori name for this region is the Ocean of Toi-te-Huatahi. Captain Cook then named the region the Bay of Plenty.

Is north or south New Zealand better?

New Zealands South Island is larger than the North Island and generally considered more beautiful. It also has gorgeous coastline, but it is best known for the many mountains and fjords that define its inland.