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TODAY IN HISTORY
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1773, New Zealand's first sheep released
May
20
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31 March
31 March
1864
Rewi's last stand?
The last battle of the Waikato War began when the spearhead of a strong British force charged an apparently weak Māori position at Ōrākau, south-east of Te Awamutu. After two frontal assaults failed, the British besieged the pā.
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1910
Hocken Library opens at Otago Museum
Thomas Hocken’s priceless legacy of historical material is the most important collection outside Crown ownership in New Zealand.
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1967
Fred Ladd flies under Auckland Harbour Bridge
Well-known Auckland aviator Fred Ladd illegally flew his Widgeon amphibian aircraft under the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
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This Week in History
20 May
1773
New Zealand's first sheep released
21 May
1840
Hobson proclaims British sovereignty over New Zealand
22 May
1884
First New Zealand rugby team in action
23 May
1861
First major gold rush in Otago
24 May
1854
Parliament's first sitting in Auckland
25 May
1861
The
Press
goes to press
26 May
1879
Parihaka ploughing campaign begins