history

A rare collection of historical documents, featuring the autographs of Napoleon Bonaparte and Adolf Hitler among others, is to be auctioned in New Zealand.

Boardwalk Empire whisks viewers back to the days of Prohibition, when the nation ran dry and some exploitative citizens became drunk on power.

Dead Romans, Christian kings, marauding Mongols, Ottoman occupiers, Hapsburg edifices, pioneering painters and a modernised downtown: All the highlights (and lowlights) of Hungarian history are on display in the little city of Pecs.

A mysterious 150-year-old storage space has been uncovered at Otokia, near Henley.

Jean Throp (nee MacKenzie) treasures this Dunedin Hospital neurosurgery staff picture from 1953.

More than 90 people attended the launch, at the Karitane bowling club, on Sunday, of Karitane by the Sea, the 25th book written by former East Otago High School teacher and historian Ian Church.

Seventy years ago today, a 17-year-old cruise ship assistant waiter from Liverpool was left struggling in the sea off the French coast after his ship RMS Lancastria was attacked by German dive bombers and then rolled over and sank.

Knox Church has stood proudly in George St for almost 125 years, its 50m spire still soaring over surrounding buildings. However, the magnificent edifice had a rocky start.

It is with profound regret that we have to report that Dr Thomas Morland Hocken, whose name has for nearly half a century been intimately associated with the history and progress of this city, passed away shortly after 8 o'clock last night.

In the course of a vigorous debate at a hui I attended recently at Omapere in the Hokianga, the chairman called for silence, glared down the table, and then informed me that the strongly held opinions being advanced were the Pakeha coming out in everybody.

A private tour reveals the soul of one of France's most famous tourist attractions, reports Jim Buchta, of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Research by US-born historian Daniel Davy is expected to result in greater international recognition of Otago's early gold rushes as part of a global history of gold rushes in North America and Australia.

The restoration of two 19th-century landmarks in and near Glenorchy will be celebrated by the community on April 24.

Once neglected, the former Otago Harbour ferry Elsie Evans came another step closer this week to taking to the harbour again.

The new lessees of the Beaumont Hotel say "it's an iconic pub", and they intend to keep it that way.