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Kiwi of the Week

Michael Joseph Savage

Michael Joseph Savage (1872–1940) entered Parliament as a Labour member in 1919. When Labour came to power in 1935 he became Prime Minister and Minister of Native Affairs. He continued in these roles until his death in office in 1940.

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Today in History

23 January

1855 The 'big one' - massive earthquake hits Wellington

Measuring 8.2 on the Richter scale, this earthquake was to have a profound impact on the development of Wellington city. The earthquake lifted the southern end of the Rimutaka Range by six metres. Land raised from the harbour provided much of the flat land that (combined with additional reclamations) has formed modern Wellington's CBD. Despite its strength, the quake is thought to have killed only a handful of people - one in Wellington, two in Manawatu and perhaps up to six in Wairarapa.