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Kiwi of the Week

Edward Gibbon Wakefield

A clever theorist of mercurial character, Edward Gibbon Wakefield (1796-1862) masterminded the large-scale British settlement of New Zealand.

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Today in History

17 September

Death penalty abolished...for the time being

1941 Death penalty abolished...for the time being

This law change also ended flogging and whipping as punishments for murder. National reintroduced the death penalty in 1950 but it was finally abolished as the penalty for murder in 1961. more...

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Capital punishment in New Zealand

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Capital punishment (1966 encyclopaedia)

This Week in History

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Arthur's Pass 'discovered'

12 March 1864 Arthur's Pass 'discovered'

NZ's first test cricket victory

13 March 1956 NZ's first test cricket victory

Split Enz hit No.1 with 'I got you'

14 March 1980 Split Enz hit No.1 with 'I got you'

NZ forces capture Castle Hill at Cassino

15 March 1944 NZ forces capture Castle Hill at Cassino

Jockey Y-fronts hit NZ shops

16 March 1940 Jockey Y-fronts hit NZ shops

First Taranaki war erupts at Waitara

17 March 1860 First Taranaki war erupts at Waitara

NZ troops arrive in Greece

18 March 1941 NZ troops arrive in Greece

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