50 Memorable NZ photos since 1950s - 2010s
A DigitalNZ Story by Zokoroa
Photographs capturing 50 moments in NZ history since 1950s - 2010s that have lingered on in the memory
New Zealand, NZ, History, Sport, Politics, Music, Culture, Animals, Photographs
Enduring Moment:
When you think back over the many photographs you have seen in the media, what is the most powerful, enduring image that has lingered on in your memory? Here is a profound moment captured in time with Whina Cooper:
Whina Cooper & granddaughter on hikoi (1975)
Setting off on the hikoi (the land march) from Far North to Wellington
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
TRAGIC MOMENTS:
Inter-island ferry Wahine capsizes (1968)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Rail disaster at Tangiwai (1953)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Mt Erebus disaster (1979)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Sinking of Rainbow Warrior (1985)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Rena sinking off Tauranga & oil salvage operations (2011)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Christchurch mosque shooting (2019)
TV3
OLYMPIC moments:
Peter Snell wins Olympic gold at Rome (1960) & Tokyo (1964)
1960: 800m; 1964: 800m & 1500m (with Kiwi John Davies getting the bronze)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Murray Halberg wins Olympic gold at Rome for 5000m (1960)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
NZ rowing eight triumphant at Munich (1972)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Sarah Ulmer wins Olympic gold at Athens (2004)
Won 3000-metre individual pursuit race
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Caroline & Georgina Evers-Swindell win Olympic gold (2004 & 2008)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Valerie Adams wins Olympic gold (2008, 2012)
Awards also include: 4x World champion, and 4x World Indoor champion
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Lisa Carrington wins Olympic gold (2013 & 2016)
Radio New Zealand
Triumphant moments:
Edmund Hillary & Tenzing Norgay atop Mt Everest (1953)
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Also see Wikipedia's List of New Zealand sportspeople for other sporting triumphs.
Godfrey Bowen sets shearing world record (1953)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Val Young wins five Commonwealth Games gold medals (1958 - 1974)
Won the most gold medals (5) of any NZ competitor and national titles (37 in shotput, discus, pentathlon)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Eve Rimmer wins Paralympics events (1966, 1972, 1976, 1980)
Won 14 medals (including 8 gold) in javelin, shot put, discus, swimming, archery & Pentathlon
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Yvette Williams wins British Empire Games (1950) & Olympic gold at Helsinki for long jump (1952)
Photo of Yvette winning long jump at British Empire Games in Auckland (1950) & won Olympic gold two years later
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Denny Hulme is Formula 1 World Champion (1967)
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Ivan Mauger - Speedway champion (1968-1976)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Allison Roe wins Boston & NY City marathons (1981)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Rugby World Cup winners (1987, 2011, 2015)
Alexander Turnbull Library
Barbara Kendall in action winning gold (1992), silver (1996) & bronze (2000)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Team NZ wins America's Cup (1995, 2000, 2017)
Radio New Zealand
Black Ferns win Women's Rugby World Cup (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2017)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Silver Ferns win World Cup (1967, 1979, 1987, 2003 & 2019)
Also won the Commonwealth Games in 2006 & 2010
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
celebrity animal moments:
Shrek the unshorn sheep (2004)
Shrek made international headlines when he was finally caught after 6 years & shorn of his massive 27-kilogram fleece
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Opo the dolphin playing at Opononi (1955)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Charisma and Mark Todd winning Olympic gold (1984 & 1988)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Rastus, the motorcycling cat, and Max Corkill raised funds for the SPCA (1990s)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Sirocco the kākāpō given title of Official Spokesbird for Conservation (2010)
Sirocco featured on BBC television series "Last Chance to See" (2009)
Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai
"Happy Feet" - Emperor Penguin (2011)
Was found on the Kapiti Coast & taken to Wellington Zoo; then released off Tangaroa ship en route to Campbell Islands
NIWA
Stranded cows rescued after Kaikoura earthquake (2016)
TV3
POLITICAL MOMENTS:
Students in climate change marches around NZ (2019)
Palmerston North City Library
Anti-Vietnam War demonstrations (Late 1960s - early 70s)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Māori Queen crowned (1966)
Princess Piki was chosen to become the first Māori Queen and sixth Māori monarch
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Radio Hauraki broadcast from a ‘pirate’ ship anchored outside NZ waters (1966-70)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Springbok rugby tour (1981)
Alexander Turnbull Library
Bastion Point protest (1982)
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Suffrage 125 celebrations (2018)
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Popular culture moments:
NZ welcoming the Beatles (1964)
Alexander Turnbull Library
Sweetwaters festival at Ngāruawāhia (1980)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Lorraine Downes crowned Miss Universe (1983)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Lorde's song 'Royals' reaching no. 1 in US & wins Grammy awards (2013-14)
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Out of this world moments:
Additional resources:
- Alexander Turnbull Library's Photographic Archive
- NZ History: Photos and images