One hundred gun shots echoed over Wellington today, marking the 100th anniversary of the start of WWI.

The neglected burial site of Sapper Robert Hislop, mourned a century ago as NZ's first casualty of World War I, is expected to become an official war grave.

Some put their Olympic gold medals under lock and key, Muhammad Ali claimed to have thrown his into the Ohio River after being denied service at a Louisville restaurant and others put it in their sock drawer.

One hundred years ago on Tuesday, a tense crowd of 12,000 gathered at Parliament to hear confirmation of what they already knew - the young nation of New Zealand was going to war.

The family of a young soldier who was given a military farewell as New Zealand's first casualty of World War I wants his neglected burial site honoured as an official war grave.

New Zealand and Australia have very different takes on the Anzac legend, a prominent historian says.

It's been labelled a bogan town, a cow town, even the "chlamydia capital of NZ". But from today the city will celebrate 150 years of history

Health Minister Tony Ryall has signed off on his 15-year political career by reminiscing on his role in asset sales, helping former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley roll Jim Bolger and the achievements he was proudest of as Health Minister.

Scientists in western Canada have discovered the fossilised footprints of three tyrannosaurs that suggest these fearsome predators may have hunted in packs.

The remote, misty, immense Te Urewera country is a treasured place that no one should own - to own it would be to enslave it, says Ngai Tuhoe.

Today, Pita Sharples will carry out the first reading of the new Maori Language Bill 2014 in Parliament.

Love him or hate him, Muldoon was definitely a memorable NZ politician - and this Monday is the 30th anniversary of the '84 snap election.

The largest flying bird in history had a 24 feet wingspan - more than twice that of the biggest living albatross - and dined on fish probably caught in mid-flight over the open ocean, a study has found.

In the quarter of a century since it began, NZOA has funded a wide range of television programmes and music videos - we take a look at some of the best.

New forensic imaging techniques are being used to solve the mystery of the final resting place of Amelia Earhart, whose plane vanished over the Pacific in 1937.

If you're in a hurry to meet your maker, a religious pilgrimage may be the most direct route.

A video game that recreates the Battle of El Alamein has been backed by old Kiwi soldiers who want children to learn more about World War II.

With the high ball toss, bent front knee and explosive extension, the technique matches modern-day greats Pete Sampras and Roger Federer.

When Sir Edmund Hillary said of Mt Everest "we knocked the bastard off", it turns out he meant it literally.

A current affairs show reporting on World War I? Brilliant.

The key figure in one of the most notorious murders in New Zealand colonial history has been pardoned.

Retirement is a difficult enough call for many professional sports stars, and when you are a legend - having been feted for many years - it can be trickier than most.

It's The Hangover-meets-Jurassic Park. While most stag parties involve paintballing, the pub or a strip club, one group of friends spent did some impromptu palaeontology.

Elisabeth Easther takes an affectionate look at some stalwarts of colonial tourism that still stand tall today.

The last home to Russia's doomed royal family, and the haunt of 'mad mystic' Rasputin, the Alexander Palace has been trashed over the past century. Now an Aucklander is part of an international group helping to restore it as a world-heritage museum.