10 January

1838 Catholic missionaries arrive in Hokianga

French Bishop Jean Baptiste François Pompallier arrived in Hokianga. His party celebrated their first mass three days later. Read more...

1902 World's first state-registered nurses

Ellen Dougherty was one of the world’s first state-registered nurses. Grace Neill, Assistant Inspector in the Department of Asylums and Hospitals, advocated state registration of trained nurses, which was introduced by the Nurses’ Registration Act 1901. Read more...

1928 Pioneer aviators vanish over the Tasman

New Zealanders George Hood and John Moncrieff disappeared during a ‘gallant if somewhat ill-organised attempt’ to complete the first flight across the Tasman Sea. Read more...