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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

26 August

1911 New Zealand Coat of Arms warranted

On this day King George V signed the Royal Warrant assigning the first New Zealand Coat of Arms. The Warrant was published in the New Zealand Gazette on 11 January 1912.

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Internal links

New Zealand Coat of Arms 1911-1956 Political and constitutional timeline

External links

NZ Coat of Arms (MCH)
National Coat of Arms of NZ (Heraldry of the World)

1894 Death of second Maori King

As the second Māori King, Tāwhiao had led his people through the traumatic period of the wars of the 1860s. He was succeeded by his son Mahuta. more...

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The death of Tawhiao - Maori King movement 1860-94 Tukaroto Potatau Matutaera Tawhiao (King Tawhiao)

External links

The King Movement (Te Ara)
Potatau Te Wherowhero Tawhiao biography (DNZB)

1866 Submarine telegraph line laid across Cook Strait

After two bungled attempts and near disaster at sea, the first communications cable between the North and South Islands of New Zealand was completed on 26 August 1866. more...