Abel Tasman was a Dutch explorer born in 1603, known for his voyages in the 17th century. He is best recognized for being the first European to reach the islands of New Zealand and Tasmania, which is named after him. His expeditions were commissioned by the Dutch East India Company, aiming to expand trade routes and explore new territories. In 1642, Tasman set sail from Batavia (now Jakarta, Indonesia) and discovered the west coast of New Zealand. He also explored parts of Australia, although he did not realize he had found a new continent. Tasman's explorations contributed significantly to European knowledge of the southern Pacific region.