Timeline of New Zealand history
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2008-06-23T21:42:55Z
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/* 2000s */
This is a '''timeline of the [[History of New Zealand|History]] of [[New Zealand]]'''.
{{TOCright}}
== Pre-Colonial Timeline (to 1839) ==
===Before 1600===
* [[180]]: [[Lake Taupo]] erupts violently.
* [[1000]]-[[1300]]: Archaeological evidence (such as the [[Cabbage tree (New Zealand)|cabbage tree]] ovens on the [[Otago Peninsula]]) indicates that Polynesian settlement was established some time in this period.
* [[1500]]: [[Rangitoto Island]], near [[Auckland]], was formed by a series of eruptions. While it is not expected to erupt again, the broader [[Auckland volcanic field]] is.
===Seventeenth century===
;[[1642]]
* [[December 13]]: [[Netherlands|Dutch]] [[explorer]] [[Abel Tasman]] sights the [[South Island]].
* [[December 18]]: [[Abel Tasman]]'s expedition sails around [[Farewell Spit]] and into [[Golden Bay]]. Dutch sailors sight local [[Māori]].
* [[December 19]]: Māori kill four of Tasman's crew and Tasman's ships depart without landing. The Dutch chart the west of the [[North Island]].
===Eighteenth century===
;[[1700]]-[[1730]]
* [[Ngāi Tahu]] migrate from [[Wellington]] to the [[South Island]], as far south as [[Banks Peninsula]].
;[[1769]]
* [[October 8]]: English explorer [[James Cook]] makes his first visit to New Zealand.
* Cook maps the majority of the New Zealand coastline.
* French trader [[Jean-François-Marie de Surville|Jean de Surville]] explores parts of the New Zealand coast.
;[[1772]]
* April: Expedition of French explorer [[Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne]] visits [[Northland Region|Northland]]
;[[1773]]
* April: Cook's second expedition arrives in [[Queen Charlotte Sound]]
* [[December 18]]: [[Māori]] kill and eat nine members of Cook's expedition at Grass Cove in Queen Charlotte Sound.
;[[1777]]
* Cook returns to New Zealand aboard the ''Resolution'', accompanied by the ''Discovery'' captained by [[Charles Clerke]].<ref name=shorthistory>McLauchlan, Gordon ''A Short History of New Zealand'' Penguin Group, 2005.</ref>
;[[1788]]
* [[New South Wales]] founded, which according to Governor [[Arthur Phillip|Phillip]]'s Commission included the islands of New Zealand.
;[[1790]]
* An epidemic of ''rewha-rewha'' (possibly [[influenza]]) kills 60% of the Māori population in the southern North Island.<ref name=shorthistory />
;[[1791]]
* [[November 29]]: [[Chatham Islands]] sighted by HMS Chatham commanded by [[William Robert Broughton|William Broughton]].
;[[1792]]
* Group of [[Pinniped|sealers]] from the Britannia landed in [[Dusky Sound]].
;[[1793]]
* Dusky Sound sealers picked up.
* Two day expedition led by Spanish explorer [[Alessandro Malaspina]] charts [[Doubtful Sound]]<ref name=shorthistory />
* ''La Recherche'' and ''L'Espérance'', captained by [[Bruni d'Entrecasteaux]] and [[Jean-Michel Huon de Kermadec]] sight New Zealand and the [[Kermadec Islands]].
===1800s===
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;[[1805]]
-->
;[[1806]]
* First [[Pākehā]] women arrive in New Zealand.
;[[1807]] or [[1808]]
* Ngapuhi fight Ngāti Whātua, Te-Uri-o-Hau and Te Roroa [[iwi]] at the battle of [[Moremonui]] on the west coast of Northland, the first battle in which Maori used muskets.
;[[1809]]
* Ngati Uru attack and burn the ship ''[[Boyd Massacre|Boyd]]'', killing all but four of its crew and passengers. The whaling fleet wrongly blames the massacre on Te Puna chief Te Pahi and retaliates against him.
===1810s===
;[[1814]]
* [[December 22]]: British [[missionary]] [[Samuel Marsden]], of the (Anglican) Church Missionary Society, arrives at Rangihoua at Oihi Bay in the [[Bay of Islands]] to establish the country's first mission station. Sheep, cattle, horses and poultry are introduced.
* [[Christmas Day]]: Rev Marsden preached the first [[Christian]] service in the country, at Rangihoua.
;[[1815]]
* February: [[Thomas Holloway King]] is the first [[Pākehā]] child born in New Zealand, at Rangihoua.
*
;[[1819]]
* Raids on [[Taranaki]] and [[Te Whanganui-a-tara]] regions by [[Ngapuhi]] and [[Ngati Toa]] people led by chiefs [[Patuone]], [[Nene]], [[Moetara]], [[Tuwhare]], and [[Te Rauparaha]].
* [[August 17]]: the country's second mission station is established, at [[Kerikeri]], when Rev Marsden, John Butler, Francis Hall and William Hall mark out the site which was previously visited by Marsden in 1815.
*[[September 25]]: Rev Marsden plants 100 vines, the first grapes grown in New Zealand.
* [[November 4]]: Chiefs [[Hongi Hika]] and [[Kerikeri#Rewa's Village|Rewa]] sell 13,000 acres (5260 hectares) at Kerikeri to the Church Missionary Society for 48 felling axes.
===1820s===
;[[1820]]
* [[Hongi Hika]], [[Ngapuhi]] chief, visits England, meets [[George IV of the United Kingdom|King George IV]] and secures supply of [[musket]]s.
;[[1821]]
* [[Musket Wars]] begin with raids by Hongi Hika and [[Te Morenga]] on southern iwi and continue throughout the decade.
;[[1822]]
* [[Ngati Toa]] begin migration south to [[Cook Strait]] region, led by Te Rauparaha.
;[[1823]]
* Jurisdiction of [[New South Wales]] courts is extended to British citizens in New Zealand.
* [[Wesleyan Missionary Society]] mission established.
* First [[Church of England]] marriage between Philip Tapsell and Māori girl, Maria Ringa.
;[[1824]]
* [[Te Heke Niho-puta]] migration of Taranaki iwi to the [[Kapiti Coast]].
* [[Rawiri Taiwhanga]] in [[Bay of Islands]] sells [[dairy]] produce and other food supplies to visiting ships.
;[[1827]]
* [[Te Rauparaha]]'s invasion of the [[South Island]] from [[Kapiti]] begins.
===1830s===
;[[1831]]
* Whaling stations established at [[Tory Channel]] and [[Preservation Inlet]].
;[[1832]]
*[[April 19]]: stonemason William Parrott begins work on the missionaries' [[Kerikeri#Stone Store|Stone Store]] at [[Kerikeri]].
* [[James Busby]] appointed British Resident.
;[[1833]]
* May: James Busby arrives at the [[Bay of Islands]].
;[[1834]]
* March: [[United Tribes of New Zealand]] flag adopted by some 25 northern chiefs at Busby's suggestion.
;[[1835]]
* October: ''[[Declaration of Independence of New Zealand]]'' by the "Confederation of United Tribes" signed by 34 northern chiefs (and later by another 18).
;[[1837]]
* New Zealand Association formed in London, becoming the New Zealand Colonisation Society in [[1838]] and the [[New Zealand Company]] in [[1839]], under the inspiration of [[Edward Gibbon Wakefield]].
;[[1838]]
* [[Jean Baptiste Pompallier|Bishop Pompallier]] founds [[Roman Catholic]] Mission at [[Hokianga]].
;[[1839]]
* [[William Hobson]] instructed to establish British rule in New Zealand, as a dependency of New South Wales.
* Colonel [[William Wakefield]] of the New Zealand Company arrives on the [[Tory (ship)|Tory]] to purchase land for a settlement.
== Colony and self-government (1840 to 1946) ==
===1840s===
;[[1840]]
* [[January 29]]: Hobson arrives in the Bay of Islands.
* New Zealand Company settlers arrive at [[Te Whanganui a Tara]] which became [[Port Nicholson]], site of [[Wellington]].
* [[February 6]]: [[Hone Heke]] is the first to sign the [[Treaty of Waitangi]] at Bay of Islands.
* [[May 21]]: Hobson proclaims British sovereignty over New Zealand.
* May: First capital established at [[Okiato]], which was renamed Russell.
* August: French colony established in [[Akaroa]].
* Hobson becomes first Governor and sets up executive and legislative councils.
;[[1841]]
* European settlements established at [[New Plymouth]] and [[Wanganui]].
* February: Capital shifted from Russell ([[Okiato]]) to [[Auckland]].
* [[3 May]]: New Zealand proclaimed a colony independent of [[New South Wales]].
;[[1842]]
* Main body of settlers arrive at [[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]].
* [[September 10]]: [[William Hobson]] dies.
;[[1843]]
* Twenty-two European settlers and four Māori killed at the [[Wairau Affray|confrontation]] at [[Tuamarina]], near the [[Wairau]], in [[Marlborough]].
* [[Robert FitzRoy]] becomes Governor.
;[[1844]]
* [[Hone Heke]] begins the "War in the North".
* New Zealand Company suspends its colonising operations due to financial difficulties.
;[[1845]]
* [[George Edward Grey|George Grey]] becomes Governor.
;[[1846]]
* War in the north ends with capture of [[Ruapekapeka]].
* First [[New Zealand Constitution Act]] passed.
* [[Charles Heaphy]], [[William Fox (New Zealand)|William Fox]], and [[Thomas Brunner]] begin exploring the [[West Coast, New Zealand|West Coast]].
* First steam vessel, HMS "Driver", arrives in New Zealand waters.
;[[1848]]
* Settlement of [[Dunedin]] founded by [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[Otago]] Association.
* Provinces of [[New Ulster]] and [[New Munster]] set up under 1846 Act.
* [[Coal]] discovered at [[Brunner, New Zealand|Brunner]] on the West Coast.
* [[Earthquake]] centred in Marlborough damages most [[Wellington]] buildings.
===1850s===
;[[1850]]
* [[Canterbury, New Zealand|Canterbury]] settlement founded.
;[[1852]]
* Second [[New Zealand Constitution Act 1852|New Zealand Constitution Act]] passed creating General Assembly and six [[Provinces of New Zealand|provinces]] with representative government.
;[[1853]]
* Idea of a [[Māori King]] canvassed by [[Tamihana Te Rauparaha]] and [[Matene Te Whiwhi]].
* About 100 Māori - mostly chiefs - enrolled to vote in the forthcoming election<ref name=maori_vote>{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.org.nz/democracy/history/maori-vote.html |title=Māori and the Vote |accessmonthday=May 18|accessyear=2008 |publisher=[[Elections New Zealand]] }}</ref>.
* [[July 4]]–[[October 1]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1853]]
;[[1854]]
* [[1st New Zealand Parliament|First session of the General Assembly]] opens in Auckland.
;[[1855]]
* Governor [[Thomas Gore Browne]], appointed in [[1854]], arrives.
* Severe earthquake on both sides of Cook Strait. Wellington's [[Basin Reserve]] is raised, dashing plans to use it for boats.
* Adhesive, perforated postage stamps on sale.
* [[October 28]]–[[December 28]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1855]].
;[[1856]]
* [[Henry Sewell]] forms first ministry under responsible government and becomes first [[Premier]].
* [[Edward Stafford]] forms first stable ministry.
;[[1858]]
* New Provinces Act passed.
* [[Pōtatau te Wherowhero|Te Wherowhero]] installed as first [[Māori King]], taking name Pōtatau I.
;[[1859]]
* First session of [[Hawke's Bay (region)|Hawke's Bay]] and Marlborough provincial councils.
* [[Gold]] discovered in [[Buller River]].
* [[New Zealand Insurance Company]] established.
===1860s===
;[[1860]]
* Waitara dispute develops into [[First Taranaki War]].
* [[December 12]]–[[March 28]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1860-1861]].
;[[1861]]
* [[George Grey]] becomes governor for the second time.
* May [[Gabriel Read]] discovers gold in [[Gabriel's Gully]] near [[Lawrence, New Zealand|Lawrence]]; [[Central Otago Gold Rush]] begins.
* First session of [[Southland Province|Southland]] provincial council.
* [[Bank of New Zealand]] incorporated at Auckland.
;[[1862]]
* First electric telegraph line opens from Christchurch to [[Lyttelton, New Zealand|Lyttelton]].
* First gold shipment from Dunedin to London.
;[[1863]]
* War resumes in [[Second Taranaki War|Taranaki]] and begins in [[Invasion of Waikato|Waikato]] when General Cameron crosses the Mangatawhiri stream.
* New Zealand Settlements Act passed to effect land confiscation.
* First steam railway in New Zealand, the [[Ferrymead Railway]] opened.
* [[February 7]]: [[HMS Orpheus (1861)|HMS ''Orpheus'']] sinks in [[Manukau Harbour]], killing 189 people.
;[[1864]]
* [[Invasion of Waikato|War in the Waikato]] ends with battle of [[Orakau]].
* Land in Waikato, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, and Hawke's Bay confiscated.
* Gold discovered in Marlborough and Westland.
* Arthur, George, and [[Edward Dobson]] are the first Pākehā to cross what becomes known as [[Arthur's Pass]].
;[[1865]]
* Capital and seat of government transferred from Auckland to Wellington
* Native Land Court established.
* Māori resistance continues.
* Auckland streets lit by gas for first time.
;[[1866]]
* [[Cook Strait]] submarine telegraph cable laid.
* Christchurch to [[Hokitika]] road opens.
* Cobb and Co. coaches run from Canterbury to the West Coast.
* The Presbytery of Otago separates into three presbyteries and becomes the [[Synod of Otago and Southland]].
* January–February: Trevor Chute leads raids against Maro in Taranaki
* [[February 12]]–[[April 6]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1866]].
;[[1867]]
* [[Thames, New Zealand|Thames]] goldfield opens; soon the town has more people than [[Auckland]].
* Four [[Māori seats]] established in Parliament. All Māori men over 21 obtained [[suffrage]] (allowed to stand for parliament and vote<ref name=maori_vote />).
* [[Lyttelton rail tunnel|Lyttelton railway tunnel]] completed.
* Armed constabulary established.
;[[1868]]
* Māori resistance continues through campaigns of [[Te Kooti]] Arikirangi and Titokowaru.
* New Zealand's first sheep breed, the [[Corriedale]], is developed.
;[[1869]]
* [[Thomas Burns (New Zealand)|Thomas Burns]] founds New Zealand's first university, the [[University of Otago]], in Dunedin.
===1870s===
;[[1870]]
* The last imperial forces leave New Zealand.
* [[Julius Vogel]]'s public works and immigration policy begins, along with [[Rail transport in New Zealand|national railway]] construction programme; over 1,000 miles constructed by 1879.
* [[University of New Zealand]] created by the New Zealand University Act, establishing a federal university based on the [[University of London]], which lasts until 1961.
* First rugby match.
* Auckland to [[San Francisco]] mail service begins.
;[[1871]]
* Deer freed in Otago.
* [[January 14]]–[[February 23]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1871]].
;[[1872]]
* [[Te Kooti]] retreats to the King Country and Māori armed resistance ceases.
* Telegraph communication links Auckland, Wellington and southern provinces.
;[[1873]]
* New Zealand Shipping Company established.
;[[1874]]
* First New Zealand steam engine built at Invercargill.
;[[1875]]
* [[December 20]]–[[January 29]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1875-1876]].
;[[1876]]
* Abolition of the provinces and establishment of local government by counties and boroughs.
* New Zealand-Australia telegraph cable established.
;[[1877]]
* Education Act passed, establishing national system of primary education, "free, secular, and compulsory".
;[[1878]]
* Completion of [[Main South Line]] railway linking Christchurch, Dunedin, and [[Invercargill]].
;[[1879]]
* Triennial Parliaments Act passed. [[Manhood suffrage]] is extended to non-Māori when the vote is given to <b>every</b> male aged 21 and over<ref name=maori_vote />.
* [[Kaitangata, New Zealand|Kaitangata]] mine explosion, 34 people die.
* Annual property tax introduced.
* ''Kangaroo'' lays the first Telegraph cable across [[Cook Strait]].
* [[August 28]]–[[September 15]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1879]].
===1880s===
;[[1881]]
* [[Parihaka]] community forcibly broken up by troops. Te Whiti, Tohu Kakahi and followers arrested and imprisoned.
* Wreck of SS "Tararua", 131 people die.
* Auckland and Christchurch telephone exchanges open.
* [[December 9]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1881]].
;[[1882]]
* First shipment of frozen meat leaves Port Chalmers for England on the "Dunedin".
;[[1883]]
* [[Te Kooti]] pardoned, Te Whiti and other prisoners released.
* Direct steamer link established between New Zealand and Britain.
;[[1884]]
* King [[Tawhiao]] visits England with petition to the Queen, appealing to the Treaty of Waitangi, and is refused access.
* First overseas tour by a New Zealand rugby team, to New South Wales.
* Construction of [[King Country]] section of North Island main trunk railway begins.
* [[June 22]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1884]].
;[[1886]]
* [[Mount Tarawera]] erupts and the [[Pink and White Terraces]] are destroyed, 153 people die.
* Oil is discovered in [[Taranaki]].
;[[1887]]
* New Zealand's first national park, [[Tongariro National Park]], is presented to the nation by Te Heuheu Tukino IV.
* First inland parcel post service.
* [[September 26]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1887]].
;[[1888]]
* August 12, Reefton becomes first town in Southern Hemisphere to have a public supply of electricity
;[[1889]]
* Abolition of non-residential or property [[History of voting in New Zealand|qualification to vote]].
* First New Zealand-built locomotive completed at [[Addington Workshops]].
===1890s===
;[[1890]]
* Maritime Strike involves 8000 unionists.
* "Sweating" Commission reports on employment conditions.
* [[December 5]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1890]], the first election on a one-man one-vote basis
;[[1891]]
* [[John McKenzie (New Zealand)|John McKenzie]] introduces the first of a series of measures to promote closer land settlement.
* [[John Ballance]] becomes Premier of [[First Liberal Government of New Zealand|first Liberal Government]].
;[[1892]]
* First Kotahitanga Māori Parliament meets.
;[[1893]]
* [[April 27]]: [[John Ballance]] dies
* John Ballance succeeded as premier by [[Richard Seddon]].
* [[September 19]]: All women given the right to vote, New Zealand becomes first country to grant [[Women's suffrage in New Zealand|universal suffrage]] and [[Plural voting]] abolished<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.org.nz/democracy/key-dates-electoral-reform.html |title=Key dates in New Zealand electoral reform |accessmonthday=May 18 |accessyear=2008 |publisher=[[Elections New Zealand]] }}</ref>.
* Liquor licensing poll introduced.
* [[Elizabeth Yates (mayor)|Elizabeth Yates]], [[Onehunga]], becomes first woman mayor in British Empire.
* Banknotes become legal tender.
* [[November 28]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1893]].
;[[1894]]
* Compulsory arbitration of industrial disputes and reform of employment laws.
* Advances to Settlers Act.
* Clark, Fyfe and Graham become the first people to climb Mt Cook.
* Wreck of SS "Wairarapa".
;[[1896]]
* National Council of Women is founded.
* Brunner Mine explosion, 67 people killed.
* Census measures national population as 743,214.
* [[13 October]]: First public screening of a [[Cinema of New Zealand|motion picture]] in New Zealand
* [[December 4]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1896]].
;[[1897]]
* First of series of colonial and later imperial conferences held in London.
* [[Apirana Ngata]] and others form Te Aute College Students' Association. [http://www.stats.govt.nz/quick-facts/people/history-1850-1899.htm]
;[[1898]]
* Old Age Pensions Act.
* First cars imported to New Zealand.
;[[1899]]
* New Zealand army contingent is sent to the South African war.
* First celebration of Labour Day.
* [[December 6]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1899]].
===1900s===
;[[1900 in New Zealand|1900]]
* Māori Councils Act passed.
* Public Health Act passed setting up Department of Public Health in 1901.
;[[1901 in New Zealand|1901]]
* [[Cook Islands|Cook]] and other Pacific Islands annexed.
* Penny postage first used.
* Union of the [[Synod of Otago and Southland]] with the Northern Presbyterian Church to form the [[Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand]].
;[[1902 in New Zealand|1902]]
* Pacific telegraph cable begins operating between New Zealand, Australia and Fiji.
* Wreck of trans-tasman steamer [[SS Elingamite|SS ''Elingamite'']].
* [[November 25]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1902]].
;[[1903 in New Zealand|1903]]
;[[1904 in New Zealand|1904]]
* [[Richard Pearse]] achieves semi-controlled flight near [[Timaru]].
;[[1905 in New Zealand|1905]]
* New Zealand rugby team tours England and becomes known as the [[All Blacks]].
* Old Age Pension increases to £26 per year; however, eligibility tightened.
* [[December 6]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1905]].
;[[1906 in New Zealand|1906]]
* [[June 10]]: [[Richard Seddon]] dies and is succeeded by [[Joseph Ward]] as Premier.
;[[1907 in New Zealand|1907]]
* July: Resolution passed to constitute New Zealand as a Dominion.
* Fire destroys Parliament buildings.
* [[Tohunga Suppression Act]] passed
* [[September 26]]: [[Dominion of New Zealand]] declared.
;[[1908 in New Zealand|1908]]
* Auckland to Wellington [[North Island Main Trunk Railway|main trunk railway line]] opens.
* First New Zealanders compete at the [[Olympics]] as part of [[Australasia at the 1908 Summer Olympics|Australasian]] team.
* [[Harry Kerr]] is the first New Zealander to win an Olympic medal (a bronze in the [[Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics - Men's 3500 metre walk|Men's 3500 metre walk]]).
* [[Blackball, New Zealand|Blackball]] coal miner strike lasts 11 weeks .
* [[Ernest Rutherford, 1st Baron Rutherford of Nelson|Ernest Rutherford]] is awarded the [[Nobel Prize]] in Chemistry.
* New Zealand's population reaches one million.
* [[November 17]],[[November 24]] and [[1 December]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1908]].
;[[1909 in New Zealand|1909]]
* "Red" Federation of Labour formed.
* SS ''Penguin'' wrecked in Cook Strait, 75 people die.
* Compulsory military training introduced.
* Stamp–vending machine invented and manufactured in New Zealand.
===1910s===
;[[1910 in New Zealand|1910]]
* [[Halley's Comet]] sighted in New Zealand.
;[[1911 in New Zealand|1911]]
* [[December 7]],[[December 14]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1911]].
;[[1912 in New Zealand|1912]]
* [[William Massey]] wins vote in the House and becomes Prime Minister; [[Reform Government of New Zealand|Reform Government]] formed.
* [[Waihi miners' strike]].
* [[Malcolm Champion]] becomes first New Zealander to win an Olympic Gold Medal.
;[[1913 in New Zealand|1913]]
* Waterfront strikes in Auckland and Wellington.
;[[1914 in New Zealand|1914]]
* [[World War I]] begins and German [[Samoa]] is occupied.
* [[New Zealand Expeditionary Force]] is despatched to [[Egypt]].
* [[Huntly, New Zealand|Huntly]] coal mine disaster, 43 people die.
* [[August 15]]: Troops depart for [[Samoa]].
* [[August 29]]: New Zealand troops land unopposed in [[Apia]].
* October: 8427 troops leave New Zealand for Europe.
* [[December 10]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1914]].
;[[1915 in New Zealand|1915]]
* New Zealand forces take part in [[Gallipoli]] campaign.
* Reform and Liberal parties form National War Cabinet.
* Britain announces its intention to purchase all New Zealand meat exports during war.
* [[April 25]]: First landings at [[Landing at Anzac Cove|Gaba Tepe]] and [[Landing at Cape Helles|Cape Helles]] on the [[Gallipoli]] Peninsula.
* [[April 27]]: Counterattack launched by Turkish forces under the command of [[Mustafa Kemal]].
* [[December 20]]: Final withdraw of all troops from [[Anzac Cove]].
;[[1916 in New Zealand|1916]]
* New Zealand troops transfer from Western Front.
* [[Conscription]] introduced.
* [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]] formed.
* [[Lake Coleridge]] electricity supply scheme opened.
* [[June 10]]: Passing of the Military Services Bill introduces conscription.
* July: Battle of Romani defaults Turkish force advancing towards the [[Suez Canal]].
;[[1917 in New Zealand|1917]]
* [[Battle of Passchendaele]], 3,700 New Zealanders killed.
* Six o'clock public house closing introduced.
* [[Lord Liverpool]] becomes first Governor-General.
;[[1918 in New Zealand|1918]]
* New Zealand Division in the [[Battle of the Somme]].
* End of World War I.
* [[Spanish flu|Influenza epidemic]] in which an estimated 8,500 die.
* Creation of power boards for electricity distribution.
* [[Prohibition]] petition with 242,001 signatures presented to Parliament.
;[[1919 in New Zealand|1919]]
* Women eligible for election to Parliament.
* Massey signs [[Treaty of Versailles]].
* First official airmail flight from Auckland to [[Dargaville]].
* [[December 17]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1919]].
===1920s===
;[[1920 in New Zealand|1920]]
* [[Anzac Day]] established.
* New Zealand gets [[League of Nations]] mandate to govern [[Western Samoa]].
* First aeroplane flight across Cook Strait.
* New Zealand sents first team to Olympic Games (previously they have competed as part of [[Australasian]] team).
* [[Clarence Hadfield D'Arcy]] wins first Olympic medal for New Zealand.
;[[1921 in New Zealand|1921]]
* [[New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy]] established.
;[[1922 in New Zealand|1922]]
* Meat Producers' Board placed in control of meat exports.
* [[December 7]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1922]].
;[[1923 in New Zealand|1923]]
* Otira tunnel opens. [[Ross Dependency]] proclaimed.
;[[1924 in New Zealand|1924]]
* [[All Black]] 'Invincibles' tour of Britain and France.
;[[1925 in New Zealand|1925]]
* [[November 4]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1925|General election]] won by the Reform party under [[Gordon Coates]].
;[[1926 in New Zealand|1926]]
* National public broadcasting begins under auspices of Radio Broadcasting Co. Ltd.
;[[1927 in New Zealand|1927]]
;[[1928 in New Zealand|1928]]
* New Zealand Summer Time introduced.
* [[Charles Kingsford Smith]] completes first flight across [[Tasman Sea]].
* [[December 14]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1928|General election]] won by new [[New Zealand Liberal Party|United Party]].
* [[Ted Morgan (boxer)|Ted Morgan]] wins first Olympic Gold Medal for New Zealand.
;[[1929 in New Zealand|1929]]
* Economic depression worsens.
* Severe earthquake in [[Murchison]] - [[Karamea]] district, 17 people die.
* First health stamps issued.
===1930s===
;[[1930 in New Zealand|1930]]
* Unemployment Board set up to provide relief work.
;[[1931 in New Zealand|1931]]
* [[Napier earthquake]], 256 die.
* Substantial percentage reductions in public service wages and salaries.
* [[Airmail]] postage stamps introduced.
* [[December 2]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1931|General election]] won by newly formed Coalition Government under [[George William Forbes|George Forbes]].
;[[1932 in New Zealand|1932]]
* Compulsory arbitration of industrial disputes abolished.
* Unemployed riots in Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch.
* Reductions in old-age and other pensions.
* Distinctive New Zealand coins first issued, see [[New Zealand pound]].
;[[1933 in New Zealand|1933]]
* [[September 9]]: [[Elizabeth McCombs]] becomes first woman MP.
;[[1934 in New Zealand|1934]]
* Reserve Bank and Mortgage Corporation established.
* First trans-Tasman airmail.
;[[1935 in New Zealand|1935]]
* Air services begin across Cook Strait.
* [[November 24]]: [[New Zealand Post Office]] jams 1ZB radio broadcast by [[Colin Scrimgeour]] (Uncle Scrim).
* [[November 27]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1935|General election:]] [[First Labour Government of New Zealand|First Labour Government]] elected under [[Michael Joseph Savage]].
;[[1936 in New Zealand|1936]]
* [[Reserve Bank of New Zealand|Reserve Bank]] taken over by state.
* State housing programme launched.
* Guaranteed prices for dairy products introduced.
* [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]] formed from former Coalition MPs.
* Inter-island trunk air services introduced.
* [[Jack Lovelock]] wins Olympic gold and sets world record for [[1500m]].
* [[Jean Batten]]'s record flight from England.
* Working week reduced from 44 to 40 hours.
;[[1937 in New Zealand|1937]]
* April: Federation of Labour unifies trade union movement.
* [[RNZAF]] set up as separate branch of armed forces.
* March: Free Milk in schools introduced.
;[[1938 in New Zealand|1938]]
* Social Security Act establishes revised pensions structure and the basis of a national health service.
* Import and exchange controls are introduced.
* [[October 15]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1938|General election]], Labour re-elected.
;[[1939 in New Zealand|1939]]
* Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force formed.
* Bulk purchases of farm products by Great Britain.
* [[September 3]]: War declared on Germany
* [[September 7]]: First New Zealander (An officer flying with the [[Royal Air Force|RAF]]) taken [[prisoner of war]].
* [[September 12]]: Enlistment in the 2nd [[New Zealand Expeditionary Force]] begins.
* [[October 4]]: Government announces the formation of a [[Māori Battalion]] for 2 NZEF
* [[November 23]]: [[Bernard Freyberg]] is appointed to commander of 2 NZEF
* [[December 13]]: [[HMNZS Achilles (70)|HMNZS Achilles]] takes part in The [[Battle of the River Plate]].
===1940 to 1946===
;[[1940 in New Zealand|1940]]
* [[January 5]]: First Echelon of the [[2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force|2NZEF]] leaves New Zealand for the Middle East.
* [[February 12]]: The main body of the First Echelon of the 2NZEF, arrives at [[Maadi]] Camp in [[Egypt]].
* [[March 27]]: Prime Minister [[Michael Joseph Savage]] dies
* [[April 1]]: [[Peter Fraser]] becomes Prime Minister.
* [[April 1]]: Formation of [[No. 75 Squadron RNZAF|No. 75 (NZ) Squadron]] of the [[Royal Air Force|RAF]]
* [[June 11]]: New Zealand declares war on [[Italy]].
* [[June 19]]: ''[[RMS Niagara]]'' hits a mine off [[Bream Head]], [[Northland Region|Northland]]
* [[August 2]]: [[Home Guard]] established.
* [[August 20]]: German raider Orion sinks the steamer Turakina off [[Cape Egmont]].
* October: [[Stanley Graham]] kills 7 in shooting spree near [[Hokitika]]
* [[25 November]]: Steamer Holmwood sunk by German raiders off the [[Chatham Islands]].
* [[27 November]]: Rangitane sunk by German raiders 480km from [[East Cape]]
* [[8 December]]: New Zealand steamer Komata sunk by German raiders off [[Nauru]]
* [[Sidney Holland]] becomes Leader of Opposition.
* Conscription for military service.
* German mines laid across [[Hauraki Gulf]].
;[[1941 in New Zealand|1941]]
* [[20 May]] - [[1 June]]: New Zealand forces suffer heavy losses in the [[Battle of Crete]].
* [[8 December]]: New Zealand declares war on [[Japan]] following the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]].
* Māori War Effort Organisation set up.
* Pharmaceutical and general practitioner medical benefits introduced.
;[[1942 in New Zealand|1942]]
* Economic stabilisation.
* New Zealand troops in [[Battle of El Alamein]].
* Food rationing introduced.
* Mobilisation of women for essential work.
* [[June 12]]: First 5 ships of American troops from the 37th US Army Division land in Auckland.
* [[June 14]]: First American [[US Marine Corps|Marines]] from the 1st Corps Division land in Wellington.
;[[1943 in New Zealand|1943]]
* New Zealand troops take part in invasion of [[Military history of New Zealand during World War II|Italy]].
* February: Mutiny by [[Japanese people|Japanese]] [[prisoner of war|prisoners of war]] at [[Featherston prisoner of war camp]] camp results in 48 Japanese dead, 61 wounded, plus one dead and 11 injured guards.
* [[April 3]]: [[Battle of Manners Street]] between American and New Zealand servicemen
* [[June 20]]: Several Marines drown during landing exercises at [[Paekakariki]].
* [[August 28]]: [[Eleanor Roosevelt]] arrives in New Zealand for visit.
* [[September 3]]: Eleanor Roosevelt flies out from Auckland.
* [[September 25]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1943|General election]], Labour re-elected.
;[[1944 in New Zealand|1944]]
* Australia-New Zealand Agreement provides for co-operation in the South Pacific.
;[[1945 in New Zealand|1945]]
* New Zealand signs [[United Nations]] charter.
* Māori Social and Economic Advancement Act passed.
* [[National Airways Corporation]] founded.
;[[1946 in New Zealand|1946]]
* Family benefit of £1 per week becomes universal.
* [[Bank of New Zealand]] nationalised.
* [[November 24]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1946]].
== Full independence (1947 to 1983) ==
===1947 to 1949===
;[[1947 in New Zealand|1947]]
* [[Statute of Westminster 1931|Statute of Westminster]] adopted by [[New Zealand Parliament]].
* First public performance by National Orchestra.
* [[Mabel Howard]] becomes first woman cabinet minister.
* [[Ballantyne's store disaster|Fire in Ballantyne's department store]], Christchurch, 41 people die.
;[[1948 in New Zealand|1948]]
* Protest campaign against exclusion of Māori players from rugby tour of South Africa.
* [[Polio]] epidemic closes schools.
* [[Mount Ruapehu]] and [[Mount Ngauruhoe]] erupt.
* Meat rationing ends.
;[[1949 in New Zealand|1949]]
* Referendum agrees to compulsory military training.
* New Zealand gets first four navy frigates.
* [[November 30]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1949|General election:]] National Government elected.
===1950s===
;[[1950 in New Zealand|1950]]
* Naval and ground forces sent to [[Korean War]].
* [[New Zealand Legislative Council]] abolished.
* [[New Zealand wool boom|Wool boom]].
;[[1951 in New Zealand|1951]]
* Prolonged [[1951 New Zealand waterfront dispute|waterfront dispute]], state of emergency proclaimed.
* [[ANZUS]] treaty signed between United States, Australia and New Zealand.
* Māori Women's Welfare League established.
* [[December 27]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1951]]
;[[1952 in New Zealand|1952]]
* Population reaches over two million.
;[[1953 in New Zealand|1953]]
* First tour by a reigning monarch.
* [[Edmund Hillary]] and Sherpa [[Tenzing Norgay]] first to climb Mount Everest.
* Railway [[Tangiwai disaster|disaster at Tangiwai]], 151 people die.
;[[1954 in New Zealand|1954]]
* New Zealand signs South East Asia Collective Defence Treaty.
* Gains seat on [[United Nations Security Council]].
* [[September 20]]: in midst of [[moral panic]], the [[Mazengarb Report]] is presented.
* [[November 13]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1954]].
* Social Credit gets 10 percent of vote in general election, but no seats in Parliament.
;[[1955 in New Zealand|1955]]
* Pulp and paper mill opens at Kawerau.
* Rimutaka rail tunnel opened.
;[[1956 in New Zealand|1956]]
* New Zealand troops sent to [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]].
* [[Roxburgh Dam|Roxburgh]] and Whakamaru power stations in operation.
;[[1957 in New Zealand|1957]]
* [[February 17]]: Last hanging, of [[Walter James Bolton]].
* [[Scott Base]] established in [[Ross Dependency]].
* Court of Appeal constituted.
* Dairy products gain 10 years of unrestricted access to Britain.
* [[November 30]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1957|General election]], National loses election, [[Walter Nash]] leads [[Second Labour Government of New Zealand|Second Labour Government]].
;[[1958 in New Zealand|1958]]
* PAYE tax introduced.
* [[Arnold Nordmeyer]]'s "[[Black Budget (New Zealand)|Black Budget]]".
* First geothermal electricity generated at Wairakei.
* First [[heart-lung machine]] used at Greenlane Hospital, Auckland.
;[[1959 in New Zealand|1959]]
* [[Antarctic Treaty]] signed with other countries involved in scientific exploration in Antarctica.
* [[Auckland Harbour Bridge]] opened.
===1960s===
;[[1960 in New Zealand|1960]]
* Regular television programmes begin in Auckland.
* Government Service Equal Pay Act passed.
* [[November 26]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1960|General election]], [[Second National Government of New Zealand|National Government]] elected.
;[[1961 in New Zealand|1961]]
* New Zealand joins the [[International Monetary Fund]].
* [[Capital punishment in New Zealand|Capital punishment]] abolished.[http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/C/CapitalPunishment/CapitalPunishment/en]
;[[1962 in New Zealand|1962]]
* New Zealand troops sent to [[Malaysia]] during [[Indonesian Confrontation|confrontation]] with [[Indonesia]].
* [[Western Samoa]] becomes independent.
* Sir [[Guy Powles]] becomes first [[Ombudsman]].
* New Zealand Māori Council established.
* Cook Strait [[rail ferry]] service begins.
* Taranaki gas well opens.
;[[1963 in New Zealand|1963]]
* [[November 30]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1963]].
;[[1964 in New Zealand|1964]]
* [[Marsden Point]] oil refinery opens at [[Whangarei]].
* Cook Strait power cables laid.
* Auckland's population reaches half a million.
;[[1965 in New Zealand|1965]]
* [[New Zealand Australia Free Trade Agreement|NAFTA]] agreement negotiated with Australia.
* Support for United States in [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]]; New Zealand combat force sent, protest movement begins.
* [[Cook Islands]] becomes self-governing.
;[[1966 in New Zealand|1966]]
* [[Auckland International Airport|International airport]] officially opens at Auckland.
* New Zealand labour force reaches one million.
* National Library of New Zealand created.
* [[Te Atairangi Kaahu]] becomes first Māori Queen.
* [[November 26]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1966]].
;[[1967 in New Zealand|1967]]
* Referendum extends hotel closing hours to 10pm.
* [[10 July]]: [[Decimal currency]] introduced, see [[New Zealand Dollar]].
* Lord [[Arthur Porritt]] becomes first New Zealand-born Governor-General.
* Breath and blood tests introduced for suspected drinking drivers.
* [[Denny Hulme]] becomes New Zealand's first (and currently only) Formula 1 World Champion.
;[[1968 in New Zealand|1968]]
* Inter-island ferry [[Wahine disaster|Wahine]] sinks in severe storm in Wellington Harbour, 51 people die.
* Three die in [[Inangahua Junction|Inangahua]] earthquake.
;[[1969 in New Zealand|1969]]
* Vote extended to 20-year-olds.
* First output from [[Glenbrook, New Zealand|Glenbrook]] [[New Zealand Steel|Steel Mill]].
* [[November 29]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1969|General election]], National wins fourth election in a row.
===1970s===
;[[1970 in New Zealand|1970]]
* [[Natural gas]] from [[Kapuni]] supplied to Auckland.
;[[1971 in New Zealand|1971]]
* New Zealand secures continued access of butter and cheese to the United Kingdom.
* [[Nga Tamatoa]] protest at Waitangi celebrations.
* [[Tiwai Point]] [[aluminium]] [[smelter]] begins operating.
* [[Warkworth, New Zealand|Warkworth]] satellite station begins operation.
;[[1972 in New Zealand|1972]]
*[[Values Party]] is formed.
* Equal Pay Act passed.
* [[November 25]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1972|General election]], [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] Government led by [[Norman Kirk]] elected.
;[[1973 in New Zealand|1973]]
* Naval frigate despatched in protest against French nuclear testing in the Pacific.
* New Zealand's population reaches three million.
* Oil price hike means worst terms of trade in 30 years.
* Colour TV introduced.
;[[1974 in New Zealand|1974]]
* [[August 31]]: Prime Minister [[Norman Kirk]] dies.
* [[Commonwealth Games]] [[1974 British Commonwealth Games|held in Christchurch]].
;[[1975 in New Zealand|1975]]
* [[January 4]]: [[Lynne Cox]] became the first woman to swim across [[Cook Strait]].
* [[September 14]]: [[Māori land march]] protesting at land loss leaves [[Te Hapua]]
* [[October 13]]: Māori land march reaches Parliament building in Wellinton, [[Whina Cooper]] presents a ''Memorial of Rights'' to the Prime Minister [[Bill Rowling]] and Māori Affairs Minister [[Matiu Rata]].
* The [[Waitangi Tribunal]] is established.
* Second TV channel starts broadcasting.
* [[November 29]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1975]]. [[Robert Muldoon]] becomes Prime Minister after National Party victory.
* [[1975 in New Zealand television]]
;[[1976 in New Zealand|1976]]
* New Zealand's national day [[February 6]] renamed from '''New Zealand Day'' to ''Waitangi Day''
* Matrimonial Property Act passed.
* Pacific Islands "overstayers" deported.
* EEC import quotas for New Zealand butter set until 1980.
* Introduction of [[metric system]] of weights and measures.
* Subscriber toll dialling introduced.
* [[1976 in New Zealand television]]
;[[1977 in New Zealand|1977]]
* National Superannuation scheme begins.
* New Zealand signs the [[Gleneagles Agreement]].
* The 200 nautical mile (370 km) [[exclusive economic zone]] (EEZ) is established.
* [[January 5]]: [[Bastion Point]] occupied by protesters.
;[[1978 in New Zealand|1978]]
* Registered unemployed reaches 25,000.
*[[New Zealand Film Commission]] established.
* [[February 12]]: 17 arrested after protestors led by [[Eva Rickard]] set up camp on the [[Raglan]] golf course.
* [[May 25]]: Army and Police remove protesters from [[Bastion Point]], 218 arrests are made.
* [[November 25]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1978|General election]], National re-elected.
;[[1979 in New Zealand|1979]]
* [[Air New Zealand Flight 901]] crashes on [[Mount Erebus]], [[Antarctica]], 257 people die.
* [[Carless days]] introduced to reduce petrol consumption.
* [[November 7]]: MP [[Matiu Rata]] resigns from the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]] to join [[Mana Motuhake]] Party.
* [[Nambassa]] 3 day music and alternatives festival held in [[Waihi]]. Largest event of its kind in New Zealand and the world.
===1980s===
;[[1980 in New Zealand|1980]]
* [[Social Credit Party (New Zealand)|Social Credit]] wins East Coast Bays by-election.
* Saturday trading partially legalised.
* Eighty-day strike at [[Kinleith Mill]].
;[[1981 in New Zealand|1981]]
* [[1981 Springbok Tour|South African rugby team's tour]] brings widespread disruption.
* [[November 28]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1981]].
;[[1982 in New Zealand|1982]]
* [[Closer Economic Relations|CER]] agreement signed with Australia.
* First [[köhanga reo]] established.
* Year-long wage, price and rent freeze imposed lasts until 1984.
;[[1983 in New Zealand|1983]]
* Visit by nuclear-powered United States Navy frigate "Texas" sparks protests.
* [[Official Information Act 1982|Official Information Act]] replaces [[Official Secrecy Act]].
* [[New Zealand Party]] founded.
== Restructuring (1984 to date) ==
===1984 to 1989===
;[[1984 in New Zealand|1984]]
* Te Hikoi ki Waitangi march and disruption of Waitangi Day celebrations.
* Auckland's population exceeds that of the South Island.
* [[July 14]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1984]] won by Labour under [[David Lange]].
* [[New Zealand constitutional crisis, 1984|Constitutional crisis]] follows general election; outgoing Prime Minister [[Robert Muldoon]] refuses to implement advice of Prime Minister elect David Lange.
* Government devalues New Zealand dollar by 20 percent.
* [[July 26]]: [[David Lange]] becomes New Zealand's 32nd Prime Minister; [[Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand|Fourth Labour government]] formed.
* Finance Minister [[Roger Douglas]] begins deregulating the economy.
* New Zealand ratifies the United Nations [[Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women]].
;[[1985 in New Zealand|1985]]
* Anti-nuclear policy leads to refusal of a visit by the American warship, the USS ''Buchanan''.
* [[July 10]]: [[Greenpeace]] vessel ''[[Rainbow Warrior (1978)|Rainbow Warrior]]'' [[sinking of the Rainbow Warrior|bombed and sunk]] by French [[DGSE]] agents in Auckland harbour.
* New Zealand dollar floated.
* First case of locally-contracted [[AIDS]] is reported.
* Waitangi Tribunal given power to hear grievances arising since 1840.
* [[November 20]] Archbiship [[Paul Reeves]] appointed Governor General.
;[[1986 in New Zealand|1986]]
* [[Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986]] passed.
* [[Royal Commission on the Electoral System|Royal Commission]] reports in favour of an MMP (Mixed Member Proportional) electoral system.
* [[Jim Bolger]] becomes National Party leader.
* Soviet cruise ship, the ''[[Mikhail Lermontov (ship)|Mikhail Lermontov]]'', sinks in [[Marlborough Sounds]].
* [[Goods and Services Tax (New Zealand)|Goods and Services Tax]] introduced.
* First visit to New Zealand by the [[Pope]].
* The [[Constitution Act 1986|Constitution Act]] ends the right of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|British Parliament]] to pass laws for New Zealand.
;[[1987 in New Zealand|1987]]
* Share prices plummet by 59 percent in four months.
* Māori Language Act making Māori an official language passed.
* Anti-nuclear legislation enacted.
* First [[New Zealand Lotteries Commission|Lotto]] draw.
* New Zealand's first heart transplant is performed.
* New Zealand wins [[Rugby World Cup]].
* Significant earthquake in the [[Bay of Plenty]].
* [[August 15]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1987|General election]], Labour re-elected.
;[[1988 in New Zealand|1988]]
* Number of unemployed exceeds 100,000.
* [[Bastion Point]] land returned to Māori ownership.
* Combined Council of Trade Unions formed. Royal Commission on Social Policy issues April Report.
* Gibbs Report on hospital services and Picot Report on education published.
* State Sector Act passed.
* [[Cyclone Bola]] strikes northern North Island.
* Electrification of the central section of the [[North Island Main Trunk Railway]] completed.
* [[New Zealand Post]] closes 432 post offices.
* Fisheries quota package announced for Māori iwi.
;[[1989 in New Zealand|1989]]
* Prime Minister [[David Lange]] suggests formal withdrawal from ANZUS.
* [[Jim Anderton]] founds [[NewLabour Party (New Zealand)|NewLabour Party]].
* Lange resigns and [[Geoffrey Palmer (politician)|Geoffrey Palmer]] becomes Prime Minister.
* First annual balance of payments surplus since 1973.
* Reserve Bank Act sets bank's role as one of maintaining price stability.
* First school board elections under Tomorrow's Schools reforms.
* First elections under revised local government structure.
* Sunday trading begins.
* Third TV channel begins.
* Māori Fisheries Act passed.
===1990s===
;[[1990 in New Zealand|1990]]
* New Zealand celebrates its sesquicentennial.
* Māori leaders inaugurate National Congress of Tribes.
* Dame [[Catherine Tizard]] becomes first woman Governor-General.
* [[Geoffrey Palmer (politician)|Geoffrey Palmer]] resigns as Prime Minister and is replaced by [[Mike Moore]].
* One and two cent coins are no longer legal tender.
* Commonwealth Games [[1990 Commonwealth Games|held in Auckland]].
* [[Telecom New Zealand|Telecom]] sold for $4.25 billion.
* Pay Television Network [[SKY Network Television|Sky TV]] began broadcasting.
* Welfare payments cut.
* Big earthquake in Hawke's Bay.
* [[October 27]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1990]]: National Party has landslide victory. [[Jim Bolger]] becomes Prime Minister.
;[[1991 in New Zealand|1991]]
* The [[Resource Management Act 1991]] is enacted, rewriting planning law.<ref>(July 1991) 51b Hansard, Resource Management Bill Third Reading, 3018-3020.</ref>
* First budget of new Finance Minister, [[Ruth Richardson]]. Welfare payments further reduced.
* The [[Alliance (New Zealand political party)|Alliance party]] is formed.
* [[Employment Contracts Act]] passed.
* Consumers Price Index has lowest quarterly increase for 25 years.
* Number of unemployed exceeds 200,000 for the first time.
* New Zealand troops join multi-national force in the [[Gulf War]].
* An avalanche on [[Aoraki/Mount Cook]] reduces its height by 10.5 metres.
;[[1992 in New Zealand|1992]]
* Government and Māori interests negotiate Sealord fisheries deal.
* Public health system reforms.
* State housing commercialised.
* New Zealand gets seat on [[United Nations Security Council]].
* Student Loan system is started / Tertiary Fees raised
;[[1993 in New Zealand|1993]]
* Centennial of women's suffrage celebrated.
* [[New Zealand First Party]] launched by [[Winston Peters]].
* [[November 6]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1993|General election]] won by National, without obtaining a majority.
* Referendum favours [[Mixed Member Proportional|MMP]] [[electoral system]].
* Opposition MP [[Peter Tapsell (New Zealand)|Peter Tapsell]] becomes [[Speaker of the House]], thus giving the government a majority.
;[[1994 in New Zealand|1994]]
* Government commits 250 soldiers to front-line duty in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]].
* Government proposes $1 billion cap in plan for final settlement of [[Treaty of Waitangi]] claims.
* Sharemarket reaches highest level since 1987 crash.
* New Zealand's first casino opens in Christchurch.
*[[David Bain]] is convicted of murdering five members of his family.
* First fast-ferry service begins operation across Cook Strait.
;[[1995 in New Zealand|1995]]
* Team New Zealand wins [[America's Cup]].
* Occupation of [[Moutoa Gardens]], [[Wanganui]].
* Waikato Raupatu Claims Settlement Act passed.
* New political parties form: the [[New Zealand Conservative Party|Conservatives]], [[Christian Heritage New Zealand|Christian Heritage]] and [[United New Zealand]].
* Renewal of French nuclear tests results in New Zealand protest flotilla and navy ship "Tui" sailing for [[Moruroa]] Atoll.
* Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Auckland, [[Nelson Mandela]] visits.
* New Zealand contingent returns from Bosnia.
;[[1996 in New Zealand|1996]]
* Imported pests Mediterranean fruit flies and white-spotted tussock moths cause disruption to export trade and to Aucklanders.
* [[Kahurangi National Park]], the 13th [[National parks of New Zealand|National Park]], is opened in north-west [[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]].
* Waitangi Tribunal recommends generous settlement of Taranaki land claims.
* First legal sports betting at TAB.
* The commercial radio stations and networks owned by [[Radio New Zealand]] are sold to [[Clear Channel]] creating [[The Radio Network]].
* $170 million Ngai Tahu settlement proposed, $40 million Whakatohea settlement announced.
* [[October 12]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1996|First MMP election]] brings National/New Zealand First coalition government.
;[[1997 in New Zealand|1997]]
* America's Cup damaged in attack by a Māori activist.
* TV4 begins daily broadcasts.
* Customs Service cracks down on imported Japanese used cars following claims of odometer fraud.
* Auckland's [[Sky Tower]] is opened.
* Compulsory superannuation is rejected by a margin of more than nine to one in New Zealand's first postal referendum.
* Jim Bolger resigns as Prime Minister after losing support of the National Party caucus, and is replaced by New Zealand's first woman Prime Minister, [[Jenny Shipley]].
;[[1998 in New Zealand|1998]]
* Auckland city businesses hit by a [[1998 Auckland power crisis|power cut]] lasting several weeks. The crisis of over a month results in an inquiry into Mercury Energy.
* The women's rugby team, the [[Black Ferns]], become the world champions.
* Interest rates and the New Zealand dollar both take a slide, leaving NZ$1 below the US50c mark for the first time in 12 years.
* The National - New Zealand First coalition Government is dissolved leaving the Jenny Shipley led National Party as a minority government.
* Several cases of tuberculosis discovered in South Auckland in the worst outbreak for a decade.
* The [[Hikoi of Hope]] marches to Parliament, calling for more support for the poor.
* The government announces plans to lease 28 new fighter aircraft but says no to a new naval frigate.
* Road toll 514
;[[1999 in New Zealand|1999]]
* [[November 27]]: [[New Zealand general election, 1999]]. [[Helen Clark]]'s [[Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand|Fifth Labour Government]] is sworn in.
* Road toll 508
===2000s===
;[[2000 in New Zealand|2000]]
* January: The name suppression of American [[billionaire]] [[Peter Lewis]], who was arrested and convicted of drug possession charges, causes controversy.
;[[2001 in New Zealand|2001]]
* Interest accrual is removed from student loans while studying. Students who accrued interest prior to 2001 are still required to pay.
;[[2002 in New Zealand|2002]]
* [[30 June]]: The population of [[Canterbury, New Zealand|Canterbury]] reaches half a million.
* [[27 July]]: [[New Zealand general election, 2002|2002 general election]], Labour returned for a second term; National records worst result since 1930s.
;[[2003 in New Zealand|2003]]
* Population of New Zealand exceeds 4 million.
* Appeals to the [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council]] abolished; [[Supreme Court of New Zealand]] established.
;[[2004 in New Zealand|2004]]
* [[New Zealand foreshore and seabed controversy|Foreshore and Seabed Act]] passed.
* [[Māori Party]] formed.
*[[Māori Television Tahi|Maori TV]] begins broadcasting
;[[2005 in New Zealand|2005]]
* [[17 September]]: [[New Zealand general election, 2005|2005 general election]], Labour-led government returned for a third term with a narrow margin.
;[[2006 in New Zealand|2006]]
* Labour enacts its election promise to remove interest on [[Student loan|loans]] to students living in New Zealand.
* Five cent coins are dropped from circulation and existing 10 cent, 20 cent and 50 cent coins are replaced with smaller coins.
* [[11 October]]: $11.5 Billion dollar government surplus announced by Minister of Finance Dr [[Michael Cullen]].
* [[South Island]] population Reaches 1 Million
;[[2007 in New Zealand|2007]]
* Last Privy Council appeal results in [[David Bain]]'s convictions for the murder of his family being quashed; re-trail ordered by the [[Solicitor-General of New Zealand]].
* [[KiwiSaver]] retirement savings scheme introduced.
* The [[New Zealand Dollar]] briefly exceeds 80 cents against the [[US Dollar]].
;[[2008 in New Zealand|2008]]
* [[1 January]]:[[Electoral Finance Act]] enacted.
* [[11 January]]: mountaineer [[Edmund Hillary|Sir Edmund Hillary]] dies.
* [[New Zealand general election, 2008|2008 general election]] to be held before [[15 November]].
Note: Population figures sourced from [[Statistics New Zealand]]
== References ==
<references/>
== See also ==
*[[Timeline of environmental history of New Zealand]]
== External links ==
*[http://timelines.ws/countries/NEWZEALAND.HTML Timeline]
*[http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/calendar Today in New Zealand History calendar]
<br/>{{New Zealand topics}}
<!--Categories-->
[[Category:History of New Zealand]]
[[Category:National timelines|New Zealand]]