26 May

1926 Anna Pavlova dances in New Zealand for the first time

The world’s best-known ballerina performed her famed ‘Dying Swan’ and ‘Fairy Doll’ to a full house in His Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland. Read more...

1879 Parihaka ploughing campaign begins

Under the leadership of Te Whiti-o-Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi, Parihaka Māori began a ploughing campaign in protest against European settlement on land confiscated from Māori. Read more...