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Kiwi of the Week

Vincent Aspey

When nine-year-old Vincent Aspey persuaded his mother to buy a violin he had spotted in a second-hand shop she was dubious that he would practice, let alone come to be described as ‘synonymous with orchestral development in New Zealand’.

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Today in History

19 August

1944 Kiwi pilot's sacrifice saves French village

As his damaged Hawker Typhoon fighter-bomber rapidly lost height, Pilot Officer James Stellin struggled to avoid crashing into Saint-Maclou-la-Brière, a village of 370 people. He succeeded, but at the cost of his own life. The villagers gave him a hero’s funeral and have honoured his memory ever since. more...

Internal links

New Zealanders in the air - D-Day James Stellin memorial in France James Stellin Memorial Park

External links

Wellington remembers Pilot Officer James Stellin (NZ Defence Force)
Northland School – Stellin Memorial Park (Living Heritage)
Flier’s heroism marked at last (Dominion Post)
The Aviation Forum

1853 Wakefield elected to Parliament

The brains behind the New Zealand Company was elected to the House of Representatives as the member for Hutt. Having only arrived in February, he was quick to lobby for the introduction of responsible government. more...