Tasman's expedition departed from Batavia (now Jakarta) in Indonesia in April 1642. He sailed southeast, and in November 1642 he sighted land that he named Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania). He then continued sailing east, and in December 1642 he sighted land that he named Nieuw Zeeland (now New Zealand).
Tasman spent several weeks exploring the coasts of New Zealand, but he did not land on the mainland. He then sailed back to Batavia, arriving in June 1643. He was later awarded a pension by the Dutch East India Company for his discoveries.
Tasman died in Batavia in 1659 at the age of 56. He is considered one of the most important explorers of the 17th century.