The Olympics
NZ's first Olympic century
During the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics New Zealand's 1000th Olympian stepped up to compete (if we include those who have appeared at the Winter Games since 1952). The 182-strong team selected for Beijing was the largest New Zealand has ever sent to the Olympics.
The 1908 Olympics
Origins of international rugby - 1987 Rugby World Cup
Friendly rivalry
The first regular international rugby was the annual England versus Scotland match that kicked off in 1871. The other Home Countries – Ireland and Wales – soon joined in. The first round-robin among all four teams, in 1884, was won by England. Two years later the British unions appointed themselves as the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB). These were men on a mission to keep ‘their’ game amateur and middle-class.
1920 - key events
The Prince of Wales tours NZ
16 Olympic stories
Explore a story for each day of the Beijing Olympic Games:
Olympic medalists - rowing in New Zealand
New Zealand’s Olympic rowing medallists
The Olympic rowing tradition started by Darcy Hadfield in 1920 has since flourished. By the end of the 2008 Beijing Games New Zealand rowers had won a total of 16 medals (six gold, two silver and eight bronze).
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1920 (Antwerp) |
bronze New Zealand’s rowing eight win gold in MunichMany regard the ‘eights’ as the glamour event at any rowing regatta. In 2008 well-known sports writer Joseph Romanos chose the victory of the 1972 rowing eight as the best team performance by New Zealanders at the Olympics. He described the ‘emphatic’ victory as ‘one of New Zealand’s all-time Olympic highlights’. Olympians Gwitha Shand and Violet Walrond Gwitha Shand and Violet Walrond (aged 17) pose on the diving board in Sydney in 1923 at the Australian Swimming Union championship where Violet won the 100 yards freestyle. Gwitha came second. Gwitha won the 220 yards and 440 freestyle and Violet placed second. John Walker John Walker is one of New Zealand's track heroes. His athletic career was punctuated by memorable performances and noted for its longevity
Violet Walrond at the 1920 Olympics Swimmers pose for a photo before the 1920 Antwerp Olympics 100-m final. They are, from left: Ethelda Bleibtrey (gold medallist, USA), New Zealand's first female Olympian, Violet Walrond (fifth-placed), Jane Gylling (sixth-placed, Sweden), Frances Schroth (bronze medallist, USA), Irene Guest (silver medallist, USA), and Constance Jeans (fourth-placed, England). Image: Walrond family collection Other Ministry Websites
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