9 February

1770 Cook completes circumnavigation of North Island

The Endeavour's arrival at Cape Turnagain confirmed that the North Island was indeed an island, not part of a fabled great southern continent. Read more...

1900 Wanganui Opera House opened

Opened by Premier Richard Seddon, this large wooden building has been one of Whanganui's finest entertainment venues for more than a century Read more...

1911 New Zealand’s first controlled powered flight

Pioneering aviator Vivian Walsh took to the skies over South Auckland to complete the first controlled powered flight recorded in New Zealand. Read more...