30 August

1926 Kawarau Falls dam becomes operational

Hundreds attended the opening ceremony for a dam above the Kawarau Falls which was to temporarily block the outlet from Lake Wakatipu and hopefully expose gold-bearing rock to prospectors. Read more...

1903 Four killed by Rotorua geyser

Guide Joseph Warbrick and three tourists were killed instantly when the Waimangu geyser erupted unexpectedly. Read more...