A Brief History of New Zealand Quiz

Answer: A.D. 1000

New Zealand was one of the last places to be settled by humans.

Maori oral history tells of a great explorer, named Kupe, and some research suggests that he may have arrived in New Zealand about A.D. 925. However other evidence obtained by radiocarbon dating suggests that New Zealand remained unsettled until at least A.D. 1250.

Answer: Dutch

Abel Janszoon Tasman (1603-1659) is credited with being the first European explorer to see New Zealand, Tasmania, Tonga and Fiji. One of the ways he is remembered today is in the naming of such landmarks as the Tasman Sea, Mount Tasman and the Tasman Glacier.

Answer: Young Nick's Head

Knowing that he was close to his goal, Captain Cook had offered the reward of a gallon of rum to the first member of his crew to sight land. That must have been quite a prize for Nicholas Young, the 12 year old surgeon's boy.

That was the 6th of October 1769. It is now thought likely that Young Nick probably saw the peak of Mount Arowhana, rather than the headland which bears his name.

Answer: The Treaty of Waitangi

After the initial signing the Treaty was taken around the country and was eventually signed by over 500 chiefs.

Nearly two centuries later there is still disagreement about the exact meaning of the Treaty and whether the Crown met their obligations under the treaty.

This became so contentious that the Waitangi Tribunal was established in 1975 to investigate breaches of the Treaty and suggest appropriate compensation.

Answer: Akaroa

There was an intention to claim sovereignty of the South Island for France. However, when they arrived Governor William Hobson had already signed the Treaty of Waitangi and claimed sovereignty for Britain over the whole of New Zealand. While it was some time before the issue was settled, there was never a shot fired in anger.

An uninformed tourist might see nothing different to any other New Zealand town, although there are still some French street names. However many families in the area still have a strong French connection and there is an annual event called the French Fest to help keep their heritage alive.

Answer: Mt Tarawera

The eruption buried several Maori villages as well as destroying the Pink and White Terraces. Although a voyage to New Zealand could take several months by boat, people came from all over the world to see them. They were billed as the eighth wonder of the world.

The terraces were formed by water containing silica coming from boiling geysers at the top of the hillside. It came down the slope through a series of natural pools and waterfalls that looked like giant staircases. In the lower pools the water had cooled enough to bathe in. It was described as silky clear water that left the skin feeling soft and refreshed.

Answer: Malcolm Champion

The gold medal was for the 4x200m relay. New Zealand and Australia were competing as a combined team called Australasia.

The first time New Zealand competed at the Olympics as a separate nation was in 1920 at Antwerp.

Answer: Napier

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck on the 3rd of February 1931. 256 people were killed in either the quake or the fire which subsequently devastated the city.

Answer: Waterfront Workers

This event was known as either the Waterfront Strike or the Waterfront Lockout depending on which side you were supporting.

At the time the National Party was in government led by Prime Minister Sidney Holland. This bitter dispute resulted in antagonism between the Trade Unions and the National Party which has barely faded, even after more than 60 years.

Answer: France

Fernando Pereira, a Portuguese-Dutch photographer was drowned when the ship sank.

Dominique Prieur and Alain Mafart were part of a larger team of French agents, but they were the only ones to be caught. They pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter.

The ship was sunk to prevent it interfering with a French nuclear test on Mururoa Atoll.