15 April

First Māori MPs elected to Parliament

1868 First Māori MPs elected to Parliament

The Maori Representation Act 1867 established four Māori seats in the House of Representatives, initially for a period of five years. The act gave the vote to all Māori males aged 21 and over. Read more...
First sod turned for North Island main trunk line

1885 First sod turned for North Island main trunk line

Politicians and Māori leaders ceremonially turned the ‘first sod’ of the central section of the main trunk line – a project that would take 23 years to complete. Read more...
Mangatepopo canyoning disaster

2008 Mangatepopo canyoning disaster

Six students and a teacher from Elim College died in a flash flood while canyoning in the Mangatepopo Stream, Tongariro National Park. Read more...
Black Ferns Sevens win Commonwealth gold

2018 Black Ferns Sevens win Commonwealth gold

New Zealand rugby sevens team turned the tables on 2016 Olympic champions Australia, winning a thrilling final at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast in extra time. Read more...