South Pacific History

At 10:21pm on December 24th 1953, the Wellington to Auckland express plunged without warning into the lahar swollen Whangaehu River at Tangiwai killing 151 people.

Dec 19, 2009 - Mike Bown

The combination of entrepreneurship and refrigeration technology led to the establishment of the export meat industry in New Zealand.

Dec 7, 2009 - Lee Clift

In 1900 two brothers discovered gold, founding Mafeking, Ladysmith and Spion Cop in the Gampian mountains of Australia. Now all that remains is a commemorative cairn.

Dec 1, 2009 - Jan Toms

Until the late 18th century, most of the Pacific Ocean and the southern seas were mysteries to Europeans. In 1768, Captain James Cook set out to unlock their secrets.

Nov 28, 2009 - Brenda Ralph Lewis

Today, New Zealand exists has a sovereign state, yet the date when it became a sovereign nation has long me disputed between 1857, 1907, 1947 and 1987.

Nov 26, 2009 - Luke Broadbent