1801 in New Zealand

The ships visits to collect timber come to an end as the wood they have been taking, kahikatea and pōhutukawa, is found to be unsuitable for ship building. With the end of this industry the Firth of Thames area ceases to be the main point of contact for Pākehā and Māori. At the end of the year Governor King reports half a dozen whaling ships are operating off the north coast. The first recorded sealing ship visit to Dusky Sound in 4 years takes place as most sealers visit the recently discovered Bass Strait rookeries instead.