The country that was the first to establish a colony in New Zealand was the Netherlands, specifically via the explorer Abel Tasman in 1642. Tasman was the first European known to reach New Zealand, although he did not establish a permanent settlement. His voyage marked a significant event in early exploration, as it brought New Zealand to European attention. However, it was the British who later established the first significant settlements in the 19th century, particularly following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Tasman's brief encounter with New Zealand marks the beginning of European interest in the islands.