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What happened that day?

Political and constitutional timeline

Political and constitutional timeline

Major milestones in New Zealand's political and constitutional development more...

Women and the vote

Women and the vote

Her picture adorns the $10 note. This is the story of how suffragists like Kate Sheppard fought in the 1890s for New Zealand women to win the right to vote. more...

Maori and the vote

Maori and the vote

The development of a separate electoral system for the Maori people is one of the most remarkable stories of New Zealand's political history. more...

Dominion status

Dominion status

On 26 September 1907 the colony of New Zealand ceased to exist. It became, instead, a dominion within the British Empire. For a few years, some New Zealanders celebrated Dominion Day with parades and public events. more...

The road to MMP

The road to MMP

In 1993 New Zealanders voted in a referendum to change their voting system to mixed member proportional representation (MMP). Why and how did this dramatic change come about? more...

Election Days

Election Days

General elections have always been important public events. But the experience of voting in the 1850s was very different from today. more...