What happened that day?
See historic events for any day of the year by entering the date below. Why not try your birthday?
Kiwi of the Week
Today in History
9 February
1900 Wanganui Opera House opened
Opened by Premier Richard Seddon, this large wooden building has served as one of Wanganui's finest entertainment venues for over 100 years.
The Wanganui Opera House was built in response to an upsurge of theatrical entertainment in Victorian New Zealand, and also a Wanganui Borough Council decision that Queen Victoria's record reign should be marked. A public competition for a suitable design attracted nine entries, with the winner being Wellington architect George Stevenson. The foundation stone was laid by the mayor of Wanganui, Alexander Hatrick, on 13 July 1899 and the building was officially opened on 9 February 1900 by the Premier, Rt Hon Richard Seddon.
The Opera House has a Category 1 listing from the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
External links
1770 Cook completes circumnavigation of North Island
The Endeavour's arrival at Cape Turnagain confirmed that the North Island was indeed an island. James Cook's circumnavigation of the North Island also proved that the North Island was not part of the fabled continent, Terra Australis Incognita.
Cook brought the Endeavour to anchor at Ship Cove in Queen Charlotte Sound, at the top of the South Island, on 15 January 1770. From a high point on Arapawa Island he gained his first view of the narrow strait that now bears his name. He sailed through the strait, returning to Cape Turnagain on 9 February before heading south down the east coast of the South Island and round the southern tip of Stewart Island.
Image: detail from 'British Pacific expeditions' map (Te Ara)
External links
This Week in History
