31 August

Wreck of the <em>Sophia Pate</em>

1841 Wreck of the Sophia Pate

The fate of the brig Sophia Pate, wrecked on a sandbar at the entrance to Kaipara Harbour with the loss of 21 lives, highlighted the dangers of navigating New Zealand’s poorly charted coastal waters. Read more...
Arbitration Act becomes law

1894 Arbitration Act becomes law

The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration (IC&A) Act made New Zealand the first country in the world to outlaw strikes and introduce compulsory arbitration. Read more...
Death of Norman Kirk

1974 Death of Norman Kirk

Leader of the Labour Party since 1965 and prime minister since late 1972, 'Big Norm' died suddenly at the age of 51. He was the fifth New Zealand PM to die in office. Read more...