Te Akomanga A space for teaching and learning the histories of Aotearoa New Zealand
TODAY IN HISTORY
1773 New Zealand's first sheep released
During his second voisit to New Zealand in 1773, James Cook released a ewe and a ram in Queen Charlotte Sound. They survived only a few days – an inauspicious start to this country’s long association with sheep.
1870 Pasifika labourers arrive in Auckland
New Zealand received its first known shipload of labourers from the Pacific Islands when the clipper schooner Lulu docked in Waitematā Harbour
1865 Loss of City of Dunedin with all hands
The paddle steamer City of Dunedin left Wellington at around 5 p.m. on Saturday 20 May. It was never heard from again and no trace was ever found of the four dozen people on board.
1941 German paratroops land on Crete
The Battle for Crete raged for 12 days before the Allies were driven off the island. Casualties were high on both sides. More than 650 New Zealanders were killed and 2000 taken prisoner.
KIWI OF THE WEEK
Jack Lovelock
One of our greatest athletes, Berlin Olympic gold medallist Jack Lovelock led a remarkably full life before his tragic death in 1949, just a few days shy of his 40th birthday.
Latest Images and Media
New Zealand and the First World War
The First World War had a seismic impact on New Zealand, reshaping the country's perception of itself and its place in the world.
Women's Suffrage Petition
The 1893 Women's suffrage petition — signed by more than 25,000 women, about a fifth of the enture adult European female population — helped pave the way for the passage of New Zealand's world-leading Electoral Act in September 1893.
See the digitised version of the petitionMemorials Register
Find exact locations and further information for more than 1000 memorials throughout New Zealand.
Explore the memorials register