New Zealand history
Polynesian settlers are thought to have arrived in New Zealand from around AD 800–1000. Having established themselves on the islands, they evolved a sophisticated and highly organised culture. A Dutchman searching for a “Great Southern Continent” first stumbled upon New Zealand in 1642, but it was another 130 years before any European returned. The colonisation of New Zealand was debated and fought over by Maori, missionaries, politicians, settlers and land speculators. The World Wars brought a new sense of nationalism to New Zealand, and at the same time reinforced the country’s ties to Britain. The 20th century saw a series of unprecedented economic, social and political challenges for the people of New Zealand.
New Zealand historical timeline
Traders and Explorers
c.AD 800–900
The first Polynesians arrive in New Zealand (some scientists believe this occurred later).
1642
Abel Tasman is the first European to sight the country.
1769
Captain James Cook is the first European to explore, and set foot in, New Zealand.
1790s
European seal hunters and whalers move into the region.
1809
First European settlers arrive in Russell.
1817
Anglican Mission established at Bay of Islands.
1818
The Maori “Musket Wars” begin; 12 years of inter-tribal conflict kills 20,000 people.
Colonisation
1830s
Early European settlements grow in size; beginnings of trade with New South Wales.
1840
Maori chiefs sign the Treaty of Waitangi. Auckland becomes the capital. New Zealand Company colonists reach Wellington and establish settlements.
1845
Hone Heke cuts down the flagstaff at Kororareka (Russell); 1,000 Maori take arms against the British.
1848–50
Otago and Canterbury are settled.
1852
Taranaki colonisation begins.
1856
New Zealand becomes a self-governing British colony. Gold rush and land struggles.
1860–72
Maori Land Wars (New Zealand Wars); vast tracts of land are confiscated.
1861
Otago gold rush begins.
1865
Wellington becomes New Zealand’s capital.
1866
Cook Strait submarine telegraph cable is laid.
1867
Maori are given the vote.
1868
Raids by Titokowaru and Te Kooti throw country into crisis.
1869
Te Kooti is defeated. Otago University is established.
1870
First rugby match is played in New Zealand.
1877
Treaty of Waitangi ruled null by Chief Justice Prendergast. Free compulsory education introduced.
1882
The first refrigerated agricultural produce cargo is dispatched to England.
1886
Mount Tarawera erupts.
Social Reforms and World Wars
1893
Women are given the vote, 25 years before Britain and the US.
1896
Maori population drops to 42,000 (from 100,000 in 1769).
1898
World’s first old-age pension for men is introduced.
1899–1902
New Zealand troops fight in Boer War.
1907
New Zealand is elevated from a colony to a dominion.
1908
Ernest Rutherford awarded Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Population exceeds 1 million.
1915
New Zealand suffers heavy losses in Gallipoli campaign of World War I.
1918–19
Influenza kills 6,700.
1938
Health care and social security are introduced.
1939
World War II breaks out. New Zealand suffers heavy losses.
An Independent Nation
1947
New Zealand becomes fully independent.
1951
ANZUS defence alliance with Australia and the US is signed.
1953
New Zealander Edmund Hillary becomes the first person to climb Mount Everest.
1958
Hillary reaches the South Pole.
1962
Maurice Wilkins shares Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine for discovery of DNA.
1965
New Zealand troops are sent to Vietnam.
1971
New Zealand joins South Pacific Forum.
1975
Parliament passes the Treaty of Waitangi Act, establishing a tribunal to investigate claims.
1981
Anti-apartheid protests during South African rugby team tour creates civil unrest.
1985
Greenpeace protest vessel Rainbow Warrior is bombed in Auckland. Government bans visits by ships carrying nuclear weapons.
1987
Maori becomes an official language by law.
1993
Proportional representation election system, Mixed Member Proportional, introduced.
1995
New Zealand wins the prestigious America’s Cup.
1997
The National Party’s Jenny Shipley becomes New Zealand’s first woman prime minister.
1999
Labour Party leader Helen Clark elected prime minister.
2005
Civil Union Act passed.
2008
John Key’s National Party voted into power following Helen Clark’s nine-year reign.
2010
Christchurch is hit by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake. New Zealand signs “Wellington” Treaty with the US. Pike River Mine disaster kills 29 miners on the West Coast.
2011
New Zealand is placed in a National State of Emergency as a magnitdude 6.3 earthquake devastates Christchurch; 172 lives are lost, the CBD and numerous historic buildings are destroyed.
2012
The nation works to rebuild Christchurch city. The Tuhoe tribe reaches a historic Treaty agreement with the Crown over governance of Te Urewera National Park.
2013
The first census since 2006 is held (it was postponed in 2011 due to the Christchurch earthquakes).
2014
General election year.
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