Tasman was born in the early years of the seventeenth century in the Netherlands, and began he explorations in 1633, when he first sailed for Batavia as an able seaman. By 1634, however, he had demonstrated such ability that he was commanding a Dutch East India Company trading vessel. In 1639 he had the honour of being chosen as second in command for an exploratory voyage in the north Pacific.

In 1642 Anthony van Diemen nominated Tasman to undertake a voyage to explore the areas in the eastern and southern Pacific ocean which he thought, as Governor general of the Dutch East Indies, would abound with gold and silver.

Tasman duly set off on his voyage and discovered Van Diemens Land (Tasmania), New Zealand, and the route from Europe south of Australia to the Pacific and South America. As a result of his expeditions Tasman was promoted to commander, and he was elected to the Council of Justice in Batavia.

He subsequently led a voyage to Sumatra in 1647, and also went on a diplomatic mission to Thailand and had a failed raid on the Spanish silver fleet in 1649. He was suspended for a time when found guilty of mistreating his crewmen while drunk, but was reinstated in 1641. He retired from the company soon afterwards and became a private trader. He died in 1659, a wealthy man.

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