Political milestones
Political and constitutional timeline
Major milestones in New Zealand's political and constitutional development
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Flags of New Zealand
The New Zealand Flag was adopted in 1902, replacing the Union Jack. Between 1834 and 1840, the Flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand was recognised as the first 'national' flag
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New Zealand women and the vote
Her picture adorns the $10 note. This is the story of how suffragists like Kate Sheppard fought in the 1890s for New Zealand women to win the right to vote.
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Māori and the vote
The development of a separate electoral system for the Maori people is one of the most remarkable stories of New Zealand's political history.
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Dominion status
On 26 September 1907 the colony of New Zealand ceased to exist. It became, instead, a dominion within the British Empire. For a few years, some New Zealanders celebrated Dominion Day with parades and public events.
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The road to MMP
In 1993 New Zealanders voted in a referendum to change their voting system to mixed member proportional representation (MMP). Why and how did this dramatic change come about?
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Capital 150
Celebrating the 150th anniversary of Wellington becoming New Zealand's capital city in July 1865
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Election Days
General elections have always been important public events. But the experience of voting in the 1850s was very different from today.
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