Western Front, 1916 to 1917
In 1916 the Western Front comprised a 700-kilometre line of trenches snaking through France and Belgium from the Swiss border to the North Sea, a front that had hardly changed since it was formed in late 1914.
Part of story: First World War
First World War
In the Great War, as the First World War was known at the time, 5% of New Zealand’s military-age men died.
Part of story: First World War
The professional era
In the late 19th century challenges for the world professional sculling title were among the most hyped (and gambled-on) contests in the English-speaking world.
Part of story: Rowing
Living dangerously
New Zealanders live in a beautiful but demanding land – the challenges of coping with its rugged mountains, powerful rivers and extremes of weather have helped forge the national character.
Part of story: Natural hazards – overview
South African and First World wars
Sport was a feature of all New Zealand deployments overseas in the 20th century, though was most prominent during the world wars. On troopships, boxing and tug-of-war contests helped pass the time.