<p>Europeans had no idea what they would find when they first set eyes on Aotearoa. <i>First Encounters</i> selects some of the key writings from these early traders, missionaries, explorers and surveyors -- covering nearly 200 years from Abel Tasman in 1642 and Joseph Banks in 1769, through to early settlers such as John Logan Campbell in 1840.<br> <br> Their records of encounters with this new land and its Māori inhabitants reveal stories of wonder, curiosity, misunderstanding and adventure -- all with maximum interest and impact for modern readers.<br> <br> The text is liberally illustrated with two-colour imagery and historical photos, alongside fact boxes explaining historical language and events.</p>