What happened that day?

Kiwi of the Week

  • Rene Shadbolt

    René Shadbolt led the only New Zealand contingent to the Spanish Civil War. She and fellow nurse, Isobel Dodds, cared for wounded soldiers, particularly those from the International Brigades, from July 1937 to November 1938.

This WeeK's Quiz

Today in History

previous 15 April next

rss feed
First three Maori MPs elected to Parliament

1868 First three Maori MPs elected to Parliament

Four Maori seats were established in 1867 and elections for Maori members were held the following year. Meant to be a temporary arrangement lasting five years, the seats became permanent in 1876. more...

First sod dug for North Island main trunk

1885 First sod dug for North Island main trunk

Politicians and Maori leaders ceremonially turned the ‘first sod’ of the central section of the main trunk line – a project that would take 23 years to complete. more...

Mangatepopo canyoning disaster

2008 Mangatepopo canyoning disaster

Six students and one teacher from Elim College died in a flash flood while canyoning in the Mangatepopo Stream, Tongariro National Park.

more...