Today in History

1941 German paratroopers assault Crete

New Zealand, British, Australian and Greek forces defending the Mediterranean island of Crete fought desperately to repel a huge airborne assault by German paratroopers.

The Battle for Crete raged for 12 days before the Allies were driven off the island. Casualties were high on both sides. More than 650 New Zealanders were killed and another 2000 taken prisoner. Read more...

Image: German paratroopers over Crete

1773 NZ's first sheep released

During his second voyage to New Zealand in 1773, James Cook released a ewe and a ram from the Cape of Good Hope in Queen Charlotte Sound. They only survived a few days, but represented the start of New Zealand's long association with sheep.

Sheep farming has played an important part in New Zealand's economic history and for many tourists sheep are symbolic of New Zealand as a nation. Many jokes have been made over the years about New Zealanders and sheep, or the proportion of people to sheep. The sheep population peaked at just over 70 million in 1982. By the early 2000s it had fallen to around 40 million, as profits declined compared to other types of farming.

Sheep farming established itself in the 1850s and for several decades wool accounted for over a third of New Zealand's exports. Following the first export shipment of frozen meat in 1882, sheep meat became a significant source of revenue as New Zealand forged a role as Britain's farmyard.

Over half of New Zealand's sheep are Romney, an English breed valued because it is a dual purpose animal capable of producing wool and meat of good quality. It has also shown its ability to manage the many varied climates of New Zealand.