3 November

Naval attack on Pūkorokoro, Firth of Thames

1863 Naval attack on Pūkorokoro, Firth of Thames

During the first phase of the Waikato War, the colonial government sent HMS Miranda, a screw corvette (steamship), and the gunboat HMS Sandfly to blockade the Firth of Thames. Read more...
Manawatū rail link opened

1886 Manawatū rail link opened

Built by the privately owned Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company (WMR), the line helped open the Kāpiti Coast, Horowhenua and Manawatū to European settlement. Read more...
Birth of Anchor butter

1886 Birth of Anchor butter

From a dairy factory at Pukekura, Waikato, Henry Reynolds launched Anchor butter. The brand name, allegedly inspired by a tattoo on the arm of one of his workers, would become one of this country’s best-known trademarks. Read more...
'Summer time' reintroduced on trial basis

1974 'Summer time' reintroduced on trial basis

The trial proved popular with most New Zealanders and daylight saving of one hour between October and March was made permanent in 1975. Read more...