The death of French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne along with 25 of his men occurred in what is now known as New Zealand, specifically on the North Island. Marion du Fresne had arrived on his ship, the Mascarin, with the intention of establishing friendly relations and conducting trade with the Māori. However, his initial encounters with local iwi (tribes) were fraught with tension. Cultural misunderstandings, specifically surrounding perceptions of possession and hospitality, led to escalating hostilities.

The incident that culminated in violence took place after a series of exchanges that could be described as missteps on both sides. On the day of the attack, a dispute erupted over the appropriation of a mat and, consequently, subsequent conflicts ensued. The Māori, feeling that their customs and personhood were disrespected, retaliated against Marion's crew, leading to a conflict that resulted in a significant loss of life.

This clash exemplified the difficulties inherent in early European exploration and interaction with indigenous populations, leading to a foreshadowing of the turbulent relations between Māori tribes and European settlers that would follow in the years ahead.