Latest from History

Memorial for 2000 Kiwis killed at Somme

A memorial service marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in which more than 2000 New Zealand troops died.

Battle of the Somme - young Kiwis pay respects

It is a tiny badge but its significance is harrowing to comprehend.

Family need GPS to find children in massive house

A family about to move into an enormous house are going to take hide and seek to the next level.

Drive to save Hillary's hut heads south

The 2012km tractor expedition, to help raise $1 million to save Sir Edmund Hillary's hut in Antarctica prepares to cross Cook Strait tomorrow.

World War loo? 'Wartime luxury' up for auction

Described as being in a "remarkably unused condition" and a "wartime luxury"

Govt confirms NZ war commemoration day

Bill English says the commemoration day for land wars will be a locally driven event, not pushed from above by the Government.

Drive to save Sir Ed's historic hut

Over the last 60 years, the hut - one of Antarctica's most precious heritage sites - has slowly fallen into a state of disrepair.

Why old jails are so popular with tourists

They're the places criminals languished, rioted, plotted revenge and met their maker. So why are tourists obsessed with them?

Filling in the missing pieces

Last month, American Michael Burke received a book by New Zealand historians in the mail at his California home.

'I'm gonna kill you': Serial rapist's call

One man's unbelievable 10-year crime spree across California; 45 rapes, 12 murders and 120 burglaries, have left police baffled to this day.

Tiny house looking for big sale

Inside the 19th century Auckland cottage that sits on a 73sqm section and is sandwiched between two apartment blocks.

Daring deeds that history forgot

The Kiwi and Australian commandos of elite special unit ZSU, many of whom died without their family ever knowing what they did, will finally be recognised.

NZ teen's oily trick saves him in icy sea

Letters written 100 years ago by a NZ sailor have revealed how he survived a catastrophic naval battle in World War I by smearing his body with heavy oil.

Black sheep: NZ's colourful characters

New Zealand has a long history of colourful personalities, including intrepid vagabonds, audacious statesmen, polite pilferers and unshrinking violets.

Kiwi: The time I got pummelled by Ali

In 1979, Ali made a visit to New Zealand and made a strong impression on a young Lance Revill.

Watch NZ Herald Focus: Prison over spend

The soaring prison population has led to an over spend of 45 million dollars on jails in the last 12 months and new technology could help reduce the number of bobby calves being killed. Also a Kiwi takes America’s got talent by storm.

Iconic Watergate Hotel set to reopen

Washington's Watergate Hotel - at the heart of the scandal that lead to Nixon's resignation -is set to reopen after nearly 10 years.

Lucky flax piupiu from WW1 goes on display

Maori grass skirt worn by a British naval captain during World War I's largest sea battle has gone on display.