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Timeline of New Zealand history

Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience

A historical illustration showing a Maori man and a naval officer trading a lobster for a piece of cloth during Captain Cook's first voyage.

The history of New Zealand is filled with important events that shaped the country we know today. This timeline focuses on the most significant moments, helping us understand how New Zealand became what it is. From early Polynesian settlers to modern times, each event played a role in the nation's story.

New Zealand was first settled by Polynesian people who arrived many years ago. They brought with them new ways of life and became the ancestors of the Māori people. Over time, many changes happened, including the arrival of Europeans and the development of a unique culture.

As New Zealand grew, it faced many challenges and celebrated many achievements. This timeline highlights these key moments, showing how the country evolved through wars, treaties, and progress in many areas of life. Understanding this history helps us appreciate the rich and diverse background of New Zealand today.

Before humans (before c. 1300 CE)

Long ago, around 85 million years ago, New Zealand separated from a huge landmass called Gondwana. Later, about 5 million years ago, the climate grew colder as Australia moved north, causing some animals to disappear.

Even earlier, around 26,500 years before now, a giant eruption at the Taupō Volcano covered much of the land in volcanic ash. This changed the path of the Waikato River and created Lake Taupō. During an icy time called the Otira Glacial Maximum, New Zealand's North and South islands were joined by land, but later this land went back under water. There was also a big eruption at Lake Taupō in the year 181 CE.

Main article: Gondwana supereruption Taupō Volcano The eruption volcanic ash Waikato River Hauraki Plains Tasman Sea Lake Taupō Hatepe eruption BP

After Polynesian arrival (c. 1300 to 1839)

Humans first settled in New Zealand around the year 1300. Most of these early settlers were Polynesian people who developed a rich culture and built strong settlements. Around 1400, the Rangitoto Island near Auckland was formed by a series of volcanic eruptions.

In the 1600s, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to sight New Zealand in 1642. He named the South Island Staten Landt, but it was later renamed Nieuw Zeeland by Dutch maps. In the 1700s, many explorers visited New Zealand, including English explorer James Cook, who mapped much of the coastline.

In the early 1800s, British missionaries arrived and established the first mission stations. European settlers began to arrive, and many battles took place between different Māori groups as well as between Māori and Europeans. By the late 1830s, British officials were preparing to establish formal British rule in New Zealand.

Colony and self-government (1840 to 1946)

1840s

In 1840, settlers from the New Zealand Company arrived in Wellington. Also that year, William Hobson announced British rule in the Bay of Islands and Hōne Heke was the first to sign the Treaty of Waitangi. British sovereignty was proclaimed over New Zealand in 1840, with the North Island by treaty and the South Island by discovery. The first capital was set up at Okiato, later renamed Russell. The first Catholic school opened in Kororareka. A French colony was established in Akaroa, and Hobson became the first governor. The first dairy farm was started by Rawiri Taiwhanga in the Bay of Islands.

In 1841, European settlements were established in New Plymouth and Wanganui. The capital moved from Russell to Auckland. New Zealand became a colony independent of New South Wales, and a Catholic school for boys was founded in Auckland.

1850s

The 1850s saw the founding of the Canterbury settlement in 1850. In 1852, a new constitution created a General Assembly and six provinces with representative government. In 1853, the idea of a Māori King was suggested, and about 100 Māori chiefs were enrolled to vote in the election. The first session of the General Assembly opened in Auckland in 1854. In 1855, a large earthquake struck Wairarapa, and adhesive postage stamps went on sale. In 1856, Henry Sewell formed the first government under responsible government, and Edward Stafford formed the first stable government. In 1857, Auckland’s first Catholic boys’ secondary school was founded. In 1858, new provinces were established, and Te Wherowhero became the first Māori King. In 1859, the first sessions of Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough provincial councils opened, gold was discovered in the Buller River, and the New Zealand Insurance Company was established.

1860s

The 1860s began with the Waitara dispute leading to the First Taranaki War. The Māori King Pōtatau Te Wherowhero died in 1860, succeeded by his son Tāwhiao. The country’s first electric telegraph line opened between Christchurch and Lyttelton, and the first gold shipment from Dunedin to London took place. War resumed in Taranaki and began in Waikato, and the New Zealand Settlements Act was passed. The first steam railway in New Zealand opened. HMS Orpheus sank in Manukau Harbour, killing many people. War in the Waikato ended with the battle of Ōrākau, and gold was discovered in Marlborough and Westland.

1870s

In the 1870s, the last imperial forces left New Zealand, and Julius Vogel began public works and immigration policies, including a national railway program. The University of New Zealand was created, and the first rugby match was played. Telegraph communication linked Auckland, Wellington, and southern provinces. The last imperial forces left, and Vogel’s public works began. The University of New Zealand was created, and the first rugby match was played. Auckland to San Francisco mail service began. Deer were freed in Otago, and Te Kooti retreated to the King Country, ending armed resistance. The New Zealand Shipping Company was established, and the first New Zealand steam engine was built. Education Act established national primary education. The Main South Line railway was completed, linking Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill. Triennial Parliaments Act passed, extending voting rights to all men aged 21 and over. The Kaitangata mine explosion killed many people, and the first reliable telegraph cable across Cook Strait was laid.

1880s

The 1880s saw the Parihaka community broken up by troops, and the Māori King Movement made peace with the Auckland settler government. The first shipment of frozen meat left for England, and King Tawhiao visited Auckland. Te Kooti was pardoned, and direct steamer links were established between New Zealand and Britain. King Tawhiao visited England with a petition to the Queen, and the first overseas tour by a New Zealand rugby team took place. New Zealand’s first national park, Tongariro National Park, was presented to the nation. Reefton became the first town in the Southern Hemisphere to have a public electricity supply. Abolition of property qualifications to vote, and the first New Zealand-built locomotive was completed.

1890s

In the 1890s, a maritime strike spread from Australia to New Zealand. John McKenzie introduced land settlement measures, and John Ballance became Premier. The first Kotahitanga Māori Parliament met. John Ballance died, and Richard Seddon succeeded him as premier. All women were given the right to vote, making New Zealand the first country to grant universal suffrage. The National Council of Women was founded, and the Brunner Mine disaster killed many people. Old Age Pensions Act was passed, and the first cars were imported to New Zealand.

1900s

The 1900s saw the Māori Councils Act passed, and the Public Health Act set up the Department of Public Health. Cook and other Pacific Islands were annexed, and penny postage was first used. The Pacific telegraph cable began operating, and Richard Pearse achieved semi-controlled flight. The All Blacks played their first Test Match against Australia. New Zealand rugby team toured England as the All Blacks. Richard Seddon died and Joseph Ward became premier. New Zealand became a Dominion, and fire destroyed Parliament buildings. The main trunk railway line opened between Auckland and Wellington. New Zealanders competed at the Olympics as part of the Australasian team, and the Blackball coal miner strike lasted 11 weeks. Ernest Rutherford won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and New Zealand’s population reached one million.

1910s

In the 1910s, Halley’s Comet was sighted in New Zealand. William Massey became prime minister, and the Waihi miners’ strike occurred. World War I began, and German Samoa was occupied. The New Zealand Expeditionary Force was sent to Egypt. New Zealand forces took part in the Gallipoli campaign. Conscription was introduced, and the Labour Party was formed. The Battle of Passchendaele resulted in many New Zealanders killed. The end of World War I came, and an influenza pandemic caused many deaths. Women became eligible for election to Parliament, and Massey signed the Treaty of Versailles. The first official airmail flight took place.

1920s

The 1920s saw Anzac Day established, and New Zealand got a League of Nations mandate to govern Western Samoa. The first aeroplane flight across Cook Strait occurred, and New Zealand sent its first team to the Olympic Games. The New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy was established. The New Zealand Meat Producers Board and the New Zealand Dairy Board were constituted. The Otira tunnel opened, and the Ross Dependency was proclaimed. The All Black ‘Invincibles’ toured Britain and France. National public broadcasting began, and New Zealand Summer Time was introduced. Charles Kingsford Smith completed the first flight across the Tasman Sea, and Ted Morgan won the first Olympic gold medal for New Zealand.

1930s

In the 1930s, an unemployment board was set up. A large earthquake in Hawke’s Bay killed many people. Compulsory arbitration of industrial disputes was abolished, and unemployment riots occurred. Reductions in pensions were made, and distinctive New Zealand coins were first issued. Elizabeth McCombs became the first woman MP. The Reserve Bank and Mortgage Corporation were established, and air services began across Cook Strait. The Reserve Bank was taken over by the state, and a state housing program launched. The National Party was formed, and inter-island trunk air services were introduced. Jack Lovelock won an Olympic gold medal, and Jean Batten’s record flight from England took place. The Social Security Act established revised pensions and the basis of a national health service. The Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force was formed, and war was declared on Germany. The formation of a Māori Battalion was announced, and HMNZS Achilles took part in the Battle of the River Plate.

1940 to 1946

In 1940, the first echelon of the 2NZEF left for the Middle East, and Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage died. Peter Fraser became prime minister, and No. 75 (NZ) Squadron of the RAF was formed. New Zealand declared war on Italy, and the RMS Niagara hit a mine. Home Guard was established, and Stanley Graham killed several people in a shooting spree. In 1941, New Zealand forces suffered losses in the Battle of Crete, and New Zealand declared war on Japan. In 1942, economic stabilization occurred, and fears of a Japanese invasion led to precautions. Food rationing was introduced, and mobilization of women for essential work began. In 1943, New Zealand troops took part in the invasion of Italy, and mutiny by Japanese prisoners of war occurred. In 1944, the Australia-New Zealand Agreement was signed, and NZ troops suffered losses in the Italian Campaign. In 1945, New Zealand signed the United Nations charter, and the Māori Social and Economic Advancement Act was passed. In 1946, family benefit became universal, and the Bank of New Zealand was nationalized.

Full independence (1947 to date)

1947 to 1949

1950s

1960s

  • Regular television programmes begin in Auckland.
  • Government Service Equal Pay Act passed.
  • Voting age lowered from 21 to 20.
  • First output from Glenbrook Steel Mill.

1970s

  • US Vice President Spiro Agnew Visits New Zealand
  • Natural gas network commissioned, supplying gas from Kapuni to Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Palmerston North and Wellington.
  • New Zealand ends its role in the Vietnam War when Troops are withdrawn under the new Labour Government and Compulsory Military Training is Abolished.
  • New Zealand's population reaches three million.
  • Colour TV introduced.

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Related articles

Gondwana
Auckland
New Zealand Parliament
South Island
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand
Volcanic ash

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