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Kiwi of the Week

Robin Hyde

Robin Hyde packed a lot in to her short and often tragic life. She is best known today for her novels Passport to hell, Nor the years condemn and The godwits fly, but she was also a fine poet, a crusading journalist and an outspoken advocate for the downtrodden.

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Today in History

18 August

1955 20-year old hanged for murder

Edward Te Whiu was one of the last four people executed in New Zealand. He admitted to killing 75-year-old widow Florence Smith, but his underprivileged background and childlike mental state led some to question the appropriateness of the death penalty. more...

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Capital punishment in New Zealand 1955 - key events New Zealand crime timeline

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Te Whiu, Edward Thomas (DNZB)

1971 Deadline for Vietnam pull-out announced

Prime Minister Keith Holyoake’s announcement to Parliament that New Zealand’s combat force would be withdrawn before the end of the year coincided with a similar announcement by the Australian government. more...