Skip to main content
Search form
Search
TODAY IN HISTORY
See more
1861, First major gold rush in Otago
May
23
Topics
Events
People
Places
Home
Events
23 May
1861
First major gold rush in Otago
Gabriel Read gained fame and fortune when he found gold near the Tuapeka River, a tributary of the Clutha River in Otago.
Read more...
1966
Coronation of first Māori Queen
Princess Piki, the daughter of King Koroki, was selected as the sixth Maori monarch − and first Queen − during her father's tangi, in accordance with Kingitanga protocol. She assumed her mother’s name, Te Atairangikaahu.
Read more...
This Week in History
23 May
1861
First major gold rush in Otago
24 May
1854
Parliament's first sitting in Auckland
25 May
1861
The
Press
goes to press
26 May
1879
Parihaka ploughing campaign begins
27 May
1909
Amy Bock sentenced in Dunedin Supreme Court
28 May
1920
Fingerprints help convict murderer
29 May
1905
World’s first state-run maternity hospital opens