Herman Dietrich Spöring was an explorer and the first Finn to visit Australia. He participated in James Cook’s voyage around the world from 1768 to 1771, travelling to Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia. Spöring served on board as a secretary and draughtsman responsible for documenting the natural environment. His skills as a watchmaker also proved useful during the expedition.

Towards the end of the voyage, Spöring contracted dysentery and died from the disease. His final resting place was the Indian Ocean.

Spöring was born in Turku, and his childhood home stood near the memorial’s present location. The stone incorporated into the memorial was brought from a small island in Tolaga Bay, New Zealand, which Captain Cook named after Spöring. The island is now known by its original Māori name, Pourewa.