1919 Soldiers' votes defeat prohibition
A referendum gave prohibition a 13,000-vote majority, but this result was overturned by the votes of nearly 40,000 troops who were still overseas or in camp. Read more...
1968 Sinking of the Wahine
The ferry Wahine, en route from Lyttelton with 734 passengers and crew on board, struck Barrett Reef at the entrance to Wellington Harbour during a ferocious storm. Fifty-two lives were lost. Read more...
1973 Labour government cancels Springbok rugby tour
Following police warnings of civil strife, Prime Minister Norman Kirk informed the New Zealand Rugby Football Union that the government saw ‘no alternative’ to a 'postponement' of the planned tour by the South African Springboks. Read more...
