- erupts violently.
- ovens on the Otago Peninsula ) indicates that Polynesian settlement was established some time in this period.
- Auckland was formed by a series of eruptions. It is not expected to erupt again.
; 1642
; 1769
- makes his first visit to New Zealand.
- Cook maps the majority of the New Zealand coastline.
- Jean De Surville explores parts of the New Zealand coast.
; 1772
- Cook returns to New Zealand aboard the ''Resolution'', accompanied by the ''Discovery'' captained by Charles Clerke .McLauchlan, Gordon ''A Short History of New Zealand'' Penguin Group, 2005.
; 1788
- An epidemic of ''rewha-rewha'' (possibly Influenza ) kills 60% of the Māori population in the southern North Island.
; 1791
; 1806
- The ship '' Boyd '' is attacked and burned and all but four of its crew and passengers killed by Ngati Uru. The whaling fleet wrongly blames the massacre on Te Puna chief Te Pahi and retaliates against him.
; 1814
- 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.
- service in the country, at Rangihoua.
; 1815
; 1820
; 1831
- 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 to purchase land for a settlement.
; 1840
- Main body of settlers arrive at Nelson .
- dies.
; 1843
- Hone Heke begins the "War in the North".
- New Zealand Company suspends its colonising operations due to financial difficulties.
; 1845
; 1850
- 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.
- .
; 1856
; 1860
- First electric telegraph line opens from Christchurch to Lyttelton .
- First gold shipment from Dunedin to London.
; 1863
- War resumes in Taranaki and begins in Waikato when General Cameron crosses the Mangatawhiri stream.
- New Zealand Settlements Act passed to effect land confiscation.
- First steam railway in New Zealand opened.
- sinks in Manukau Harbour , killing 189 people.
; 1864
- 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
- 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
- .
; 1867
- Thames goldfield opens; soon the town has more people than Auckland .
- Four Māori Seats established in Parliament.
- 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
; 1870
- Deer freed in Otago.
- .
; 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
- 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
- Triennial Parliaments Act passed. Vote is given to every male aged 21 and over.
- Kaitangata mine explosion, 34 people die.
- Annual property tax introduced.
- Kangaroo lays the first Telegraph cable across Cook Strait .
- .
; 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.
- .
; 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.
- .
; 1886
- New Zealand's first national park, Tongariro National Park , is presented to the nation by Te Heuheu Tukino IV.
- Reefton becomes first town to have electricity.
- First inland parcel post service.
- .
; 1889
- Abolition of non-residential or property qualification to vote.
- First New Zealand-built locomotive completed at Addington.
; 1890
- Maritime Strike involves 8000 unionists.
- "Sweating" Commission reports on employment conditions.
- , the first election on a one-man one-vote basis
; 1891
- First Kotahitanga Māori Parliament meets.
; 1893
- dies
- John Ballance succeeded as premier by Richard Seddon .
- .
- Liquor licensing poll introduced.
- Elizabeth Yates , Onehunga , becomes first woman mayor in British Empire.
- Banknotes become legal tender.
- .
; 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.
- in New Zealand
- .
; 1897
- First of series of colonial and later imperial conferences held in London.
- Apirana Ngata and others form Te Aute College Students' Association. {Link without Title}
; 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.
- .
; 1900
- Māori Councils Act passed.
- Public Health Act passed setting up Department of Public Health in 1901.
; 1901
- Pacific cable begins operating between New Zealand, Australia and Fiji.
- Wreck of trans-tasman steamer SS ''Elingamite'' .
- .
; 1903
; 1904
- New Zealand rugby team tours England and becomes known as the All Blacks .
- Old Age Pension increases to £26 per year; however, eligibility tightened.
- .
; 1906
- "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.
; 1910
- Waterfront strikes in Auckland and Wellington.
; 1914
; 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.
- and Cape Hellas on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
- .
- .
; 1916
- New Zealand troops transfer from Western Front.
- Conscription introduced.
- 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
; 1920
- New Zealand Division of Royal Navy established.
; 1922
- Meat Producers' Board placed in control of meat exports.
- .
; 1923
- National public broadcasting begins under auspices of Radio Broadcasting Co. Ltd.
; 1927
; 1928
- Economic depression worsens.
- Severe earthquake in Murchison-Karamea district, 17 people die.
- First health stamps issued.
; 1930
- Unemployment Board set up to provide relief work.
; 1931
- Newly formed Coalition Government under George Forbes wins general election.
- Hawke's Bay earthquake, 256 die.
- Substantial percentage reductions in public service wages and salaries.
- Airmail postage stamps introduced.
- .
; 1932
- Compulsory arbitration of industrial disputes abolished.
- Unemployed riots in Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch.
- Reductions in old-age and other pensions.
- Elizabeth McCombs becomes first woman MP.
- Distinctive New Zealand coins first issued.
; 1934
- Reserve Bank and Mortgage Corporation established.
- First trans-Tasman airmail.
; 1936
- Reserve Bank taken over by state.
- State housing programme launched.
- Guaranteed prices for dairy products introduced.
- 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
- April: Federation of Labour unifies trade union movement.
- RNZAF set up as separate branch of armed forces.
- March: Free Milk in schools introduced.
; 1938
- Social Security Act establishes revised pensions structure and the basis of a national health service.
- Import and exchange controls are introduced.
- .
; 1939
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force formed.
- Bulk purchases of farm products by Great Britain.
- September 3 : War declared on Germany
- ) taken Prisoner Of War .
- begins.
- for 2 NZEF
- is appointed to commander of 2 NZEF
- takes part in The Battle Of The River Plate .
; 1940
- Māori War Effort Organisation set up.
- Pharmaceutical and general practitioner medical benefits introduced.
; 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.
- from the 1st Corps Division land in Wellington.
; 1943
- New Zealand troops take part in invasion of Italy.
- February: Mutiny by Japanese 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
- .
- arrives in New Zealand for visit.
- September 3 : Eleanor Roosevelt flies out from Auckland.
- .
; 1944
- Australia-New Zealand Agreement provides for co-operation in the South Pacific.
; 1945
; 1946
; 1947
- 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
- Referendum agrees to compulsory military training.
- National Government elected.
- New Zealand gets first four navy frigates.
- .
; 1950
- Prolonged Waterfront Dispute , state of emergency proclaimed.
- ANZUS treaty signed between United States, Australia and New Zealand.
- Māori Women's Welfare League established.
-
; 1952
- Population reaches over two million.
; 1953
- Pulp and paper mill opens at Kawerau.
- Rimutaka rail tunnel opened.
; 1956
- New Zealand troops sent to Malaya .
- Roxburgh and Whakamaru power stations in operation.
; 1957
- National loses election; Walter Nash leads second Labour Government.
- Last hanging.
- Scott Base established in Ross Dependency .
- Court of Appeal constituted.
- Dairy products gain 10 years of unrestricted access to Britain.
- .
; 1958
; 1960
- Regular television programmes begin in Auckland.
- National Government elected.
- Government Service Equal Pay Act passed.
- .
; 1961
- Marsden Point oil refinery opens at Whangarei .
- Cook Strait power cables laid.
- Auckland's population reaches half a million.
; 1965
- NAFTA agreement negotiated with Australia.
- Support for United States in Vietnam ; New Zealand combat force sent, protest movement begins.
- Cook Islands becomes self-governing.
; 1966
- Referendum extends hotel closing hours to 10pm.
- Decimal Currency introduced.
- 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
- Inter-island ferry Wahine sinks in severe storm in Wellington Harbour, 51 people die.
- Three die in Inangahua earthquake.
; 1969
- Vote extended to 20-year-olds.
- National Government wins fourth election in a row.
- First output from Glenbrook Steel Mill .
- .
; 1970
- 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
- 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
- Registered unemployed reaches 25,000.
- National Government re-elected.
- set up camp on the Raglan golf course.
- , 218 arrests are made.
- .
; 1979
; 1980
- CER agreement signed with Australia.
- First Köhanga Reo established.
- Year-long wage, price and rent freeze imposed lasts until 1984.
; 1983
; 1984
- Anti-nuclear policy leads to refusal of a visit by the American warship, the USS "Buchanan".
- vessel '' 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
- Share prices plummet by 59 percent in four months.
- Labour wins general election.
- Māori Language Act making Māori an official language passed.
- Anti-nuclear legislation enacted.
- First lotto draw.
- New Zealand's first heart transplant is performed.
- New Zealand wins Rugby World Cup .
- Significant earthquake in the Bay Of Plenty .
- .
; 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 North Island's main trunk line completed.
- New Zealand Post closes 432 post offices.
- Fisheries quota package announced for Māori iwi.
; 1989
- Prime Minister David Lange suggests formal withdrawal from ANZUS.
- Jim Anderton founds NewLabour Party .
- Lange resigns and 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.
; 1990
- New Zealand celebrates its sesquicentennial.
- Māori leaders inaugurate National Congress of Tribes.
- Dame Catherine Tizard becomes first woman Governor-General.
- Geoffrey Palmer resigns as Prime Minister and is replaced by Mike Moore .
- One and two cent coins are no longer legal tender.
- Commonwealth Games Held In Auckland .
- Telecom sold for $4.25 billion.
- Pay Television Network Sky TV began broadcasting.
- Welfare payments cut.
- Big earthquake in Hawke's Bay.
- becomes Prime Minister.
; 1991
- First budget of new Finance Minister, Ruth Richardson . Welfare payments further reduced.
- The 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
- 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
- Government commits 250 soldiers to front-line duty in 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
- Imported pests Mediterranean fruit flies and white-spotted tussock moths cause disruption to export trade and to Aucklanders.
- Kahurangi National Park , the 13th National Park , is opened in north-west 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.
- First MMP election brings National/New Zealand First coalition government.
- .
; 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; he is replaced by New Zealand's first woman Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley .
; 1998
- Auckland city businesses hit by a Power Cut lasting several weeks. The crisis continues for over a month and 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
; 2000
- January: The name suppression of American Billionaire Peter Lewis , who was arrested and convicted of drug possession charges, causes controversy.
; 2001
- Interest accrual is removed from student loans while studying. Students who accrued interest prior to 2001 are still required to pay.
; 2002
- reaches half a million.
- , Labour returned for a second term; National records worst result since 1930s.
; 2003
- , Labour-led government returned for a third term with a narrow margin.
; 2006
- Labour enacts its election promise to remove interest on 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.
- .
; 2007
Note: Population figures sourced from Statistics New Zealand
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