1874 Cospatrick fire kills 470
En route to Auckland laden with immigrants, the Cospatrick caught fire off the Cape of Good Hope. The tragedy has been described as New Zealand's worst civil disaster. Read more...
This Week in History
22 August
1969
First 'Young Farmer of the Year' chosen
23 August
1939
Writer Robin Hyde dies in London
24 August
1878
Wellington steam-tram service opened
25 August
1916
First New Zealand soldier executed
26 August
1866
Submarine telegraph line laid across Cook Strait
27 August
1904
Foundation stone for Victoria’s first building laid
28 August
1954
'Heavenly Creatures' found guilty of murder