Cape Kidnappers was named after an attempt by local Maori to abduct the servant of a member of Captain Cook's crew aboard HMS Endeavour, during a landfall at the cape on 15 October 1769. The crew member was Tiata, a Tahitian accompanying Cook's interpreter Tupaia. Cook's journal states that Tiata was in the water near Endeavour when a Maori fishing boat pulled alongside and dragged him aboard. Sailors from Endeavour's deck immediately opened fire on the fishing boat, killing two Maori and wounding a third. Tiata promptly jumped overboard and swam back to Endeavour, while the remaining Maori paddled their craft back to shore. A 4-pounder cannon was fired after them from Endeavour's quarterdeck, but the Maori boat was soon out of range. (Wikipedia)