|
1300
(approx.) |
East Polynesian people arrive. Now known as Māori, they did not identify themselves by this collective name until the arrival of European people. |
|
1642 |
Abel Tasman first European to see New Zealand. |
|
1769 |
James Cook arrives in New Zealand and claims it for Great Britain (the North Island 1769, the South Island 1770). |
|
1840 |
Treaty of Waitangi signed. |
|
1865 |
Wellington replaces Auckland as New Zealand’s capital. |
|
1882 |
First shipment of frozen meat leaves for Europe. |
|
1891 |
Liberal Government embarks on significant social and infrastructure reforms |
|
1893 |
Women given the vote. |
|
1907 |
New Zealand becomes a dominion. |
|
1908 |
New Zealand population reaches 1 million. |
|
1933 |
New Zealand adopts own currency. |
|
1947 |
New Zealand Parliament adopts the Statute of Westminster (1931) and thus becomes independent from Great Britain. |
|
1952 |
New Zealand population reaches 2 million. |
|
1981 |
Highly controversial tour of New Zealand by Springbok rugby team. |
|
1983 |
Closer Economic Relations (CER) agreement signed with Australia. |
|
1985 |
Waitangi Tribunal given power to hear historic Māori land grievances going back to 1840. |
|
1987 |
Māori declared as official language alongside English. |
|
1987 |
New Zealand becomes nuclear free. |
|
2003 |
New Zealand population reaches 4 million. |