History

Speeches that Shaped New Zealand (1814-1956)

Speeches that Shaped New Zealand is a collection of 48 speeches that tell the story of New Zealand’s development as a nation.Through the eyes and words of those at the heart of landmark events, you’ll learn how our country was shaped. They include declarations of war and peace, stirring orations that changed our social attitudes and visions of New Zealand by those who led our nation’s journey.

The Buddha from Birmingham

The Buddha from Birmingham centres on the lives of Arthur Swain and Dorothy May Swain née Cadman, especially their ten years of service as medical missionaries in China and India 1925-1935. It draws upon family oral history, documents and photographs, Western and Chinese archives, academic and missionary literature, and Western and Chinese key informants, to tell their poignant and thought-provoking story.

Anno Domini 2000; or a Woman’s Destiny

First published in 1889, this was one of the world’s earliest science fiction novels – a futuristic story in which women rise to positions of power and citizens travel freely in aluminium ‘air-cruisers’. Sir Joseph Vogel’s story is remarkable for the accuracy of his predictions for a world in the year 2000.