Political milestones

Political and constitutional timeline

Political and constitutional timeline

Major milestones in New Zealand's political and constitutional development more...

Flags of New Zealand

Flags of New Zealand

The New Zealand Flag was adopted in 1902, replacing the Union Jack. Between 1834 and 1840, the Flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand was recognised as the first 'national' flag more...

Women and the vote

Women and the vote

Her picture adorns the $10 note. This is the story of how suffragists like Kate Sheppard fought in the 1890s for New Zealand women to win the right to vote. more...

Māori and the vote

Māori and the vote

The development of a separate electoral system for the Maori people is one of the most remarkable stories of New Zealand's political history. more...

Dominion status

Dominion status

On 26 September 1907 the colony of New Zealand ceased to exist. It became, instead, a dominion within the British Empire. For a few years, some New Zealanders celebrated Dominion Day with parades and public events. more...

The road to MMP

The road to MMP

In 1993 New Zealanders voted in a referendum to change their voting system to mixed member proportional representation (MMP). Why and how did this dramatic change come about? more...

Capital 150

Capital 150

Celebrating the 150th anniversary of Wellington becoming New Zealand's capital city in July 1865 more...

Election Days

Election Days

General elections have always been important public events. But the experience of voting in the 1850s was very different from today. more...