Events In History
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28 November 1979257 killed on Mt Erebus
On the morning of 28 November 1979, Air New Zealand Flight TE901 left Auckland for an 11-hour return sightseeing flight to Antarctica. At 12.49 p.m. (New Zealand Standard Time), the aircraft crashed into the lower slopes of Mt Erebus, killing all 257 passengers and crew. Read more...
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16 August 1923New Zealand makes claim to Ross Dependency
A notice in the New Zealand Government Gazette gave effect to a British Order in Council, which stated that coasts of the Ross Sea would be administered by New Zealand. Read more...
Articles
Responding to tragedy
How police responded to the disasters, particularly Tangiwai, Wahine and Erebus
- Page 1 - Police response to disasterHow police responded to the disasters, particularly Tangiwai, Wahine and Erebus
New Zealand disasters timeline
The disasters timeline and map give an overview of New Zealand's worst natural disasters, transport accidents, fires, mining accidents and other tragedies that have caused major loss of life.
- Page 1 - New Zealand disasters timelineThe disasters timeline and map give an overview of New Zealand's worst natural disasters, transport accidents, fires, mining accidents and other tragedies that have caused major
Erebus disaster
On 28 November 1979, 237 passengers and 20 crew were killed when Air New Zealand Flight TE901 crashed into Mt Erebus, Antarctica. The tragedy was followed by a demanding recovery operation and a raging debate over who or what was to blame
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Page 2 – Tourist flights to Antarctica
Air New Zealand and Qantas began offering sightseeing flights to Antarctica in February 1977.
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Page 3 – Timeline to disaster
The Erebus disaster was mainly caused by a late change in the flight path and atmospheric conditions over Antarctica
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Page 4 – Hearing the news
How news of the Erebus disaster was relayed back to New Zealand
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Page 5 – Operation Overdue
A team of New Zealand Police officers and a Mountain Face Rescue Team were immediately dispatched to the scene of the Erebus disaster.
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Page 7 – Remembering Erebus
The Erebus disaster has been marked by a number of memorial services, often at the time of significant anniversaries
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Page 8 – Further information
This web feature was written by Imelda Bargas and produced by the NZHistory team.
Antarctica and New Zealand
NZ and Antarctica share a long and rich history. From Tuati in 1840 to Edmund Hillary in the 1950s and more recent scientists, Kiwis have explored, examined and endured the frozen continent.
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Page 3 – Triumph and tragedy
There is a New Zealand connection to a number of triumphs and tragedies that have occurred in Antarctica.
Erebus accident: remembering the past
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Page 2 – Overview of Erebus accident
Erebus accidentOn the morning of 28 November 1979, Air New Zealand Flight TE901 left Māngere airport, Auckland, for an 11-hour return sightseeing flight to Antarctica.
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Page 3 – Learning guide: New Zealand’s relationship with Antarctica
Using this learning guideThis learning guide is not designed as a downloadable resource to put in front of ākonga (students).
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Page 4 – Learning guide: historical significance
Using this learning guideThis learning guide is not a downloadable resource to put in front of ākonga (students).
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Page 5 – Learning guide: historical empathy
Using this learning guideThis learning guide is not a downloadable resource to put in front of ākonga (students).
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Page 6 – Learning guide: memorials to history
Using this learning guideThis learning guide is not a downloadable resource to put in front of ākonga (students).
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Page 7 – Learning guide: historical reconciliation
Using this learning guideThis learning guide is not a downloadable resource to put in front of ākonga.
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Main image: St. Matthew-in-the-City memorials