South Pacific History

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

On Boxing Day 1898, one of Queensland's infamous murders took place near the small town of Gatton. A young man and his two sisters were brutally slain in a paddock.

Nov 22, 2009 - Bruce Iliff

In 1944, 733 Polish children disembarked in Wellington. Some were accompanied by a parent; most left families behind in unmarked graves across Siberia and Central Asia.

Oct 31, 2009 - Lyn Rasmussen