8 December

First issue of <em>New Zealand Woman's Weekly</em>

1932 First issue of New Zealand Woman's Weekly

The first issue of the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly was distributed during the Depression. The magazine contained advice on cooking and housework, romantic short stories, knitting patterns and feature articles. Read more...
New Zealand at war with Japan

1941 New Zealand at war with Japan

The announcement by the Prime Minister’s Department that New Zealand was in a state of war with Japan followed the surprise attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Japan also attacked Hong Kong, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaya. Read more...
Deadly fire at Seacliff Mental Hospital

1942 Deadly fire at Seacliff Mental Hospital

The fire that swept through a locked ward of the Seacliff Mental Hospital, north of Dunedin, killed 37 female patients. Read more...
Whetu Tirikātene-Sullivan  becomes first Māori woman Cabinet minister

1972 Whetu Tirikātene-Sullivan becomes first Māori woman Cabinet minister

Whetu Tirikātene-Sullivan became the first female Māori Cabinet minister when she was sworn in as Minister of Tourism in Norman Kirk’s third Labour government Read more...