CHRISTMAS I: THE FIRST NZ XMAS

On the 17th of December 1642. Abel and his crew saw land in the far distance; it was Te Tai Poutini -- the west coast of the South Island of NZ. As the Dutch mariner approached the unknown land, he saw a succession of fires burning upon the coastline.  The days that followed saw the first meeting of European and Maori people. It was not a peaceful encounter.