What happened that day?

Search event by date

See historic events for any day of the year by entering the date below. Why not try your birthday?

Visit the full Calendar

Kiwi of the Week

Charles Heaphy

The multi-faceted Charles Heaphy made quite an impact on colonial New Zealand as an artist, explorer, soldier and colonial administrator. He was the first colonial soldier to win the Victoria Cross

more

Get KotW as RSS

Today in History

5 February

1911 First controlled powered flight in New Zealand

Pioneering aviator Vivian Walsh made the first controlled powered flight in New Zealand. He flew the Manurewa more than 350 m at a height of 20 m, watched by a small group of spectators at Glencora Park in Papakura, South Auckland. more...

External links

1867 Opening of railway from Invercargill to Bluff

The 27-km line between Invercargill and Bluff was the third public railway in New Zealand, but Southland's railway ambitions helped drive the province towards bankruptcy. more...