Events in New Zealand History Trivia Quiz

Answer: Signing of the Treaty of Waitangi

The Treaty of Waitangi was an agreement between the Maori and the Crown that New Zealand would be under British governance. The Maori in exchange would have their land, forests and other properties recognised and they would have the rights of British subjects. In return the Maori ceded New Zealand to Queen Victoria, giving her government the sole permission to buy land.

Answer: Tangiwai rail disaster

Late in the evening of Christmas Eve 1953 the Wellington to Auckland express derailed sending the locomotive and the first 6 carriages into the Whangaehu River killing 151 passengers and crew. The cause for the accident was a tephra dam on nearby Mt Ruapehu that had given way sending mud and debris down the river and destroying one of the piers of the bridge just moments before the train arrived.

The bridge collapsed.

Answer: The Pink and White Terraces

Shortly after midnight on 20 June 1886 Mt Tarawera, 24 km form Rotorua, exploded killing an estimated 120 people, burying Maori villages and destroying the famous Pink and White Terraces. In recent years it has been discovered that the terraces were likely not destroyed but buried by the eruption.

There is speculation on this theory by experts and there is a possibility the area could be excavated and restored for public viewing.

Answer: Christchurch

Just after mid-day on 2 February 2011, Christchurch city was hit by an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale. Over half of the victims were killed when the CTV building collapsed and caught fire. An earthquake in 2010 had previously caused structural damage to some buildings which then suffered significant damage in the 2011 earthquake to the already weakened structures.

Answer: The Springboks Tour

The Springboks from South Africa went on tour in 1981, one of their destinations being New Zealand. Because of the apartheid regime in South Africa, many people believed it was unethical and they should not be allowed to play. The tour went ahead and this led to to riots and protests.

The popularity of rugby union declined somewhat after this event and it wasn't until the All Blacks won the very first rugby world cup in 1987 that rugby regained much of its popularity.

Answer: Successfully defend the Rugby World Cup

In 2015 the All Blacks were the first team to win the World Cup twice in a row. They were also the first team to have won it more than twice, having won it in 1987 and 2011. Japan had never won a match at the time but managed to defeat South Africa, which amazed everyone!

Answer: Aramoana

In November 1990 David Gray went on a rampage for 22 terrifying hours after a verbal dispute with his neighbour. It was New Zealand's worst massacre with the most casualties at the time.

Answer: It hit a reef

On the 10th of April 1968 the overnight ferry Wahine from Lyttleton to Wellington sailed into a storm. It turned out to be one of the worst storms ever recorded in New Zealand. Wind was 60 knots which increased to 100 knots inside the harbour. A huge wave turned the ship after it entered Wellington Harbour.

The radar failed and, unaware of their location due to poor visibility, the captain tried to turn the ship back out to sea. The ship reversed into Barrett Reef knocking off the starboard propeller and soon after the port engine stopped.

The ship drifted for a while and started listing to one side. Only life boats on one side were available and many were overloaded.

Answer: France

The Rainbow Warrior was bombed in Auckland by two French agents on its way to protest against nuclear tests on Mururoa Atoll in French Polynesia. A photographer on board at the time of the bombing drowned when it sank.

Answer: It drifted into a large cave

The General Grant was close to Auckland Island and in light winds but was unable to change course. It hit the cliffs and drifted into a large cave. As the tide rose, the mast repeatedly struck the roof of the cave eventually smashing through the hull sinking it. Sixty-eight people were killed trying to escape the sinking ship and only 15 survived.

The survivors were castaways for more than 18 months living off seals and pigs until they managed to signal to passing ship.