25 December

First Christian mission established

1814 First Christian mission established

At Hohi (Oihi) Beach in the Bay of Islands, Samuel Marsden preached in English to a largely Māori gathering, launching New Zealand’s first Christian mission. Read more...
First ascent of Mt Cook

1894 First ascent of Mt Cook

At 1.30 on the afternoon of Christmas Day 1894, three young men became the first to stand atop Aoraki/Mt Cook, the highest mountain in the colony. Read more...