New Zealand High Sea

North of the North Island, warm subtropical water turns southeast into the East Auckland Current. The current follows the island's northeastern coast, beyond North Cape and the Bay of Islands. In December 1769, James Cook's Endeavour headed towards North Cape but met contrary winds. A southwesterly gale then drove the ship northeastward out of sight of land, while Jean-François-Marie de Surville's French vessel struggled around the northern coast.