Culture and Society

Culture and Society features

Identity

  HMS Endeavour arrow icon The Exploration of New Zealand
Introductions and links to information about early Polynesian and European explorers as well as explorers of the New Zealand interior.
   
  Centennial tower at the Rongotai exhibition, 1940 arrow icon The New Zealand Centennial, 1940
Maori history and the centenary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi took a back seat during 1940 as celebrations focused on a century of European effort and progress, epitomised in the Centennial Exhibition in Wellington.
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Society

  Woman's comb arrow icon Frontier of Chaos?: Maori-European Contact before 1840
Case studies of relations between Maori and European and a discussion of those who crossed between the two cultures.
   
  Family in front of State House arrow icon We Call it Home: A History of State Housing in New Zealand
For over a century the state has provided rental homes for tens of thousands of New Zealanders unable to afford a home of their own.
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  Refreshments sign arrow icon The North Island Main Trunk Line
The development and demise of passenger travel on the main trunk, including life on the rails and the place of the railway refreshment room in New Zealand society.
 
  Wrecked carriage arrow icon Tangiwai Rail Disaster
New Zealand's worst rail disaster. Includes radio broadcasts and an 8mm film of the disaster site.
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  Erebus plane wreck arrow icon Responding to Tragedy: the Police at Tangiwai, Wahine and Mt Erebus disasters
The difficult task of dealing with the aftermath of major transport disasters.
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  Burgess gang arrow icon 'Dishonour amongst thieves': the Maungatapu murders, June 1866
The story of the notorious 'Burgess gang' who murdered and thieved their way around the South Island during the 1860s.
   
  Influenza depot arrow icon The 1918 Influenza Pandemic
More than 8000 New Zealanders died in what became known as 'The Black Plague'
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  Law reform poster arrow icon Out and about — homosexual law reform in New Zealand
A feature to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1986 Homosexual Law Reform Act
   
  Kids cheering arrow icon The Royal Visit, 1953-54
Queen Elizabeth's first visit to New Zealand was one of the great events of the 1950s. Explore it through photos, film, a detailed itinerary and excerpts from the radio broadcasts of the tour.
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  Eating kina arrow icon Living in the 20th Century: New Zealand History in Photographs
Images and aspects of New Zealand's social history
 
  Maori pupils in class arrow icon Maori Language Week - Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori
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 read out loud.
 
  Pearse's plane arrow icon Richard Pearse
The first New Zealander to fly - very briefly. Includes virtual fliable plane!
 
  Rock 'n' roll dancing arrow icon Children and Adolescents in New Zealand, 1930-1960
The family and child welfare as well as the rise of the teenager during the mid-century decades.
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  Place signs arrow icon Local history links
A selection of the best local history websites from around New Zealand.
   

Immigration

  Cartoon of boat sailing arrow icon Long Journey for Sevenpence: Assisted Immigration to New Zealand from the United Kingdom 1947-1975
Stories from some of the 77,000 women, children and men who came from Great Britain to New Zealand between 1947 and 1975.
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  Graph arrow icon Home Away From Home: British and Irish Immigration to New Zealand, 1840-1914
A statistical, historical profile of English, Irish and Scottish immigrants to New Zealand, 1840-1914.
   

Culture

  Badge from the tour arrow icon 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.
 
  Protestors arrow icon 1981 Springbok Tour
For 56 days in July, August and September 1981, New Zealanders were divided against each other in the largest civil disturbance seen since the 1951 Waterfront Dispute..
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  It's a goal! - headline arrow icon Sport in New Zealand, 1930-1960
This period saw an increase in mass participation in sport, the consolidation of many national competitions, and greater achievement at international level.
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  Illustration from children's book arrow icon Literature in New Zealand, 1930-1960
Explore the context of the flowering of New Zealand literature.
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  arrow icon Arts, literature and music links
A selection of the best arts, literature and music websites.
 
  Painting of scenic lake arrow icon Our Picturesque Heritage: 100 Years of Scenery Preservation in New Zealand
An insight into New Zealand's unique environment and heritage.
 
  Cartoon of cafe patrons arrow icon The Daily Grind: Wellington Cafe Culture, 1920-2000
The rise of Wellington's coffee scene. Produced by the Masters in Public History students, Victoria University of Wellington.
 
  Herbert Sutcliffe arrow icon The School of Radiant Living in New Zealand, 1938-1989
An alternative lifestyle and health movement which counted Sir Edmund Hillary among its adherents. Includes recipes, the 'elimination diet' and an interview with the movement's founder, Herbert Sutcliffe.
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  Man looking into oven arrow icon No Pavlova Please: Images of food in 20th century New Zealand
Glimpses into New Zealand's changing food and drink culture in the 20th century. Includes historical sound files of famous radio announcer, Aunt Daisy.
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