Gallery of features - New Zealand History website

Gallery of features on this site

The following online features of New Zealand history will be added to as new content is developed. Last updated: 01 November 2005.

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Latest

New Zealand's 19th Century Wars
An overview from the Musket Wars through to the end of the New Zealand Wars.
The 1918 Influenza Pandemic
Current anxiety over the danger of the avian influenza virus – H5N1 –has revived memories of New Zealand's worst disease outbreak, the lethal influenza pandemic of 1918. In two months New Zealand lost about half as many people to influenza as it had in the whole of the First World War.
Merchant Navy
During the Second World War the Merchant Navy sailed the ships that delivered troops, military equipment and vital cargoes of food, fuel and raw materials across the world's oceans. This work was so essential to the Allies' war effort that the Merchant Navy was effectively regarded as the 'fourth service' alongside the army, navy and air force. Read a brief history of the Merchant Navy at war and listen to the stories of some of the men who were there.
VE / VJ Days
After over five years of rationing and anxiety about loved ones overseas, New Zealanders greeted the coming of peace in Europe in May 1945, and then victory over Japan in August, with understandable relief and enthusiasm.
We Call it Home: A History of State Housing in New Zealand
For one hundred years the state has provided rental homes for tens of thousands of New Zealanders unable to afford a home of their own. This feature provides an historical overview of the subject including some of the stories of state house tenants, historical film and sound clips and a wealth of historical and recent images.
From Memory Oral History Programme
The From Memory Oral History Programme offers information and advice for interviewing New Zealand war veterans including background on each of the main Second World War campaigns in which New Zealanders served, and lists of suggested questions. It also features a comprehensive guide to creating oral histories which covers everything from finding interviewees to choosing the correct equipment.

New Zealanders at War

Anzac Day
This feature includes essays on the history of the day and the Anzac tradition, biographies of a range people who served at Gallipoli and historic radio files. There is also information about First World War memorials (including a register over 450 memorials from around NZ) and a history of the Gallipoli Campaign.
New Zealand and Le Quesnoy: the ties of war
This feature outlines the liberation of Le Quesnoy by New Zealand troops on 4 November 1918, described as the 'New Zealanders' most successful day of the whole campaign on the Western Front'. It includes extracts from Ian McGibbon's New Zealand Battlefields and Memorials of the Western Front.
New Zealand Forces in Asia 1949-72
To mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, this exhibition includes essays on the Cold War, Malaya Emergency, Borneo Confrontation and Korean and Vietnam wars.
New Zealand's Participation in the South African ('Boer') War 1899–1902
In a combination of text, photographs, drawings, songs, and poetry this exhibition explores wartime experiences in South Africa and New Zealand. It includes sound files of poetry reading and singing, a complete transcript of a troopship newspaper and a database of every soldier who joined the New Zealand contingents that fought in the South African War.
Second World War
All our Second World War exhibitions and information are now on a new dedicated page. As well as information about our Second World War exhibitions you will find related links, new books and timeline. It includes the following features
- The 'American invasion': American forces and the New Zealand people
  From 1942-44 an estimated 100,000 United States troops were stationed in New Zealand and changed the way we saw the world. The feature inlcudes almost 100 images, short topical essays by Jock Phillips and sound archive files from Radio New Zealand documentaries.
- The Battle for Crete
  This exhibition features an overview essay, oral histories, written recollections, historical sound files, a photographic tour of 54 historical images, maps, casualty statistics, NZ units, photographs from the 60th anniversary celebrations in Crete and a day-by-day breakdown of events.
- The North African Campaign
  This feature explores the role of New Zealanders in the North African Campaign with particular emphasis on the times those who served were not in action. It includes an overview of the campaign, a timeline and interviews with some of those who were there.
- Italian Campaign
  Hear the stories from New Zealanders who fought in Italy between 1943 and 1945, along with an overview of the main events and an interactive campaign map.
- D-Day
  In June 1944 thousands of Kiwis were based in the United Kingdom, serving in the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Many of these men were part of the events of June 6. This feature includes background to D-Day and the memories of three New Zealanders who were in the firing line.
- Merchant Navy
  Suring the Second World War the Merchant Navy sailed the ships that delivered troops, military equipment and vital cargoes of food, fuel and raw materials across the world's oceans. This work was so essential to the Allies' war effort that the Merchant Navy was effectively regarded as the 'fourth service' alongside the army, navy and air force. Read a brief history of the Merchant Navy at war and listen to the stories of some of the men who were there.
- New Zealand Prisoners of War
  Being a prisoner of war was a significant part of the Second World War experience. Some 9000 New Zealanders were imprisoned - over 8000 by the Germans and Italians and around 300 by the Japanese, 100 of whom were service personnel. This feature includes photographs, sound files, maps and a hand- written and illustrated POW newspaper, the 'Tiki Times'.
- VE / VJ Days
  After over five years of rationing and anxiety about loved ones overseas, New Zealanders greeted the coming of peace in Europe in May 1945, and then victory over Japan in August, with understandable relief and enthusiasm.

Politics and Government

The House: New Zealand's House of Representatives 1854-2004
New Zealand's Parliament is over 150 years old. Learn about it in words, sounds, films, cartoons, postcards and photographs; or take a virtual tour through Parliament Buildings and the grounds in a series of stunning interactive panoramas.
Contested Ground: A History of Parliament Buildings
The buildings at parliament, a landmark in the nation's capital, have played an important role in this country's history. The history of our Parliament Buildings is one of perpetual architectural transition, as they have been seemingly always poised between one temporary measure and the next, with solutions devised, partly implemented, and then overtaken by successive schemes.
New Zealand Women and the Vote: Suffrage and Beyond
A history of the suffragist movement in New Zealand, the first country in the world to grant women the vote in 1893. Recent additions include an extended New Zealand suffrage milestones section, a world suffrage timeline, transcripts of original suffrage documents, sound files, a quiz and curriculum-based activities for secondary school teachers.
The Women's Parliament: The National Council of Women of New Zealand 1896–1920
An illustrated essay by Roberta Nicholls about a women's political movement in the years after suffrage was granted.
History of NZ Governors-General series:
- Empire Day
  For over 50 years from 1903, New Zealanders knew 24 May, Queen Victoria's birthday, as Empire Day. On this day they opened buildings, raised flags, made speeches and paraded. This feature explores the history of this forgotten day and its place in the ceremonial calendar of our Governors-General.
- 'Notes For My Successor': Tips for the New Governors-General
  This feature provides a behind the scenes look at the history of the office of the Governor-General. It includes insights into their perceptions of New Zealand culture, how their staff were treated, how they got around, where they lived, and what it was like to be the wife of a governor-general.
'Black Tuesday': the 1912 Waihi Strike
On 'Black Tuesday', 12 November 1912, in the midst of a bitter six-month strike by miners in the small New Zealand goldmining town of Waihi, striker Fred Evans was killed — one of only two fatalities in an industrial dispute in New Zealand's history.
Labour Day
A history of Labour Day since it was first celebrated in 1890. Includes information about Samuel Parnell, who helped New Zealand become one of the first countries in the world to adopt the eight-hour working day.
Memorials to Two NZ Prime Ministers: Michael Joseph Savage (1872–1940) and William Massey (1826–1925).
Working with Statistics
This small feature looks at the work (and play) of those involved in gathering official statistics in New Zealand over the years.
A History of the Vote in New Zealand
To mark the 150th anniversary of the first parliamentary elections in New Zealand in 1853, the History Group of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage was commissioned to write a history of the vote, Adventures in Democracy by Neill Atkinson. This website exhibition was created by the Ministry to accompany the book and is hosted on the Electoral Commission website. See also a review of this exhibition.

Culture and society

The 1918 Influenza Pandemic
Current anxiety over the danger of Asian Bird Flu has revived memories of New Zealand's worst disease outbreak, the lethal influenza pandemic of 1918. In two months New Zealand lost about half as many people to influenza as it had in the whole of the First World War.
We Call it Home: A History of State Housing in New Zealand
For one hundred years the state has provided rental homes for tens of thousands of New Zealanders unable to afford a home of their own. This feature provides an historical overview of the subject including some of the stories of state house tenants, historical film and sound clips and a wealth of historical and recent images.
A Home away from 'Home': British and Irish immigration to New Zealand, 1840–1914.
Who were the ancestors of Pakeha New Zealand? Where did they come from and what sort of people were they? These are some of the questions which this feature sets out to answer.
Long Journey for Sevenpence: Assisted Immigration to NZ from the UK 1947–1975
Long Journey for Sevenpence looks at the 77,000 women, children and men who came from Great Britain to New Zealand between 1947 and 1975 under the assisted immigration scheme. It includes oral history sound files and extracts from a publicity film made to encourage immigrants.
No Pavlova Please: Images of Food and Drink in Twentieth-Century New Zealand
This feature provides some glimpses into New Zealand's changing food and drink culture in the twentieth century. It includes photographs form National Archives and historical sound files of our most famous radio announcer, Aunt Daisy.
The Daily Grind: Wellington Café Culture 1920–2000.
Produced by the Masters in Public History students from Victoria University, Wellington.
Living in the Twentieth Century: New Zealand History in Photographs, 1900–1980.
Based on the book of the same title. Includes information about the book and illustrated extracts from each chapter.
The Mahupuku Memorial at Papawai
Information about the memorial to Ngati Kahungunu leader Hamuera Tamahau Mahupuku (c.1840–1904).
Maori Language Week / Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori
This feature includes a history of the Maori language, 100 Maori words every New Zealander should know, and tips for pronunciation. Includes audio files of these Maori words being read out loud.
New Zealand Centennial Exhibition.
In a six month period during 1939/40 over 2 million people visited the Centennial Exhibition — a massive Expo-like extravaganza held on 22 hectares of land at Lyall Bay, adjacent to Wellington’s airport. This feature provides a history of the exhibition through text, sound, film and photographs.
The New Zealand Natives' Rugby Tour of 1888/89
The story of the first New Zealand representative sports team to tour Britain, and the context in which they lived and played rugby.
Pioneer aviator Richard Pearse (includes virtual flyable plane).
Our Picturesque Heritage 100 Years of Scenery Preservation in New Zealand
This feaure provides an insight into New Zealand's unique environment and heritage. It traces the origins, aims, and changing management of a century of scenic reserves. It includes stunning images of paintings and photographs of New Zealand's landscape, as well as biographies of some of the key figures in the history of conservation.
Radiant Living
An alternative lifestyle and health movement which counted Sir Edmund Hillary among its adherents. Includes recipes, the 'elimination diet' and sound clips from an interview with the movement's founder, Herbert Sutcliffe.
The Tangiwai Railway Disaster, 1953
The exhibition also includes an essay, photographs from National Archives and an 8mm film of the disaster site. Recent additions include radio broadcasts about the disaster and new photos of the memorial unveiling.
Responding to Tragedy: the Police at Tangiwai, Wahine and Mt Erebus disasters
One of the more harrowing aspects of police work is dealing with disaster. This feature explores three major disasters of the post-war period to show how the police ability to respond has developed over that time. It includes historical radio coverage and previously unpublished images from the New Zealand Police files and other sources
Royal Visit of 1953-54
Queen Eliziabeth's first visit to New Zealand was one of the great events of the 1950s. This feature presents the 1953-54 visit through photos, film, a detailed itinerary and excerpts from the radio broadcasts of the tour.
Signatories to the Treaty of Waitangi
On 6 February New Zealanders commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Over a six-month period in that year signatures of chiefs in various places around New Zealand were obtained on different copies of the original document. This feature provides the lists of signatories to each of the nine copies of the Treaty that are known about. An introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi and information about the holdings of the original sheets are also provided.
Waitangi Day: A History
Waitangi Day commemorates the signing of a treaty at Waitangi on 6 February 1840 by a group of Maori chiefs and the British Government, represented by Lieutenant-Governor Hobson. This feature provides a chronological account of how Waitangi Day has been commemorated since Governor-General Bledisloe gifted the treaty house and grounds to the nation in 1932.
We Never Had It So Good? Themes from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, Volume 5 (1941–1960)
This series of features marked the publication of Volume 5 of the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography in 2000 The volume covers the period 1941–1960 and the sections cover themes from these years. The themes are: Protest and Dissent, Immigration and Citizenship Sport, Literature, Children and Adolescents and The Maori War Effort Organisation 1942–1945.

Extracts from books