TIMELINE

1000

Estimated first arrival of legendary explorer Kupe

1250

Following Kupe’s path, the first Polynesian migrants arrive in Aotearoa

1642

Dutch explorer Abel Tasman becomes the first European to observe what he called ‘Staten Landt’ (later renamed Nova Zeelandia)

1769

Captain Cook, Tupaia, and the crew of the Endeavour make a first landing at Turanganui-a-Kiwa

1840

Signing of the controversial Treaty of Waitangi, establishing British sovereignty over New Zealand

1865

The territory’s capital is moved from Auckland to Wellington, to better enable representatives from the South Island to participate in parliamentary proceedings

1893

New Zealand becomes the world’s first democracy where women have the right to vote in parliamentary elections

1907

Country becomes an independent dominion of the British Empire

1915

Britain’s First World War Gallipoli campaign ends with the deaths of nearly 2,800 New Zealand soldiers, the basis for the annual NZ-Australian Anzac Day commemorations on 25 April

1947

Full sovereignty is obtained by the passing of the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act

2016

A nationwide referendum sees the rejection of a new national flag, one without the imperial-era Union Flag