Articles from ‘elocal magazine’ in ‘History’

When audiences first saw The Wizard of Oz in 1939, they were dazzled by the movie’s use of Technicolor. Dorothy’s ruby slippers sparkled, the yellow brick road gleamed and the Wicked Witch of the West appeared in a shocking shade of green skin. But L. Frank Baum’s original book never described her that way. How does the Wicked Witch appear in the original story? · In Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West is…

“A hundred immigrants just landed have been sent here. The Government found them lodgings and give them rations . . . till they can be sent forth to their own grants of land.”1 These were just some of the immigrants who had recently arrived as part of the Waikato Immigration Scheme.2 Between October 1864 and June 1865, thirteen ships arrived in Auckland with settlers from Scotland, Ireland, England and South Africa on board. With promises of…

A 10,000-year-old archaeological site in central Turkey offers a glimpse into daily life at the dawn of the agricultural age, including what ancient people ate—and how they made yogurt. · By analyzing proteins left on pottery shards found at the Neolithic settlement of Çatalhöyük, researchers discovered that Neolithic people were making and eating yogurt—or something like it—at least 8,000 years ago. It wasn’t exactly the thick, tangy yogurt of…

‘[This] has been the busiest, gloomiest and most exciting fortnight I have ever passed. The war has suddenly left Taranaki and broken out here.’1 So wrote Rev Vicesimus Lush, Anglican minister, in his journal on July 19th 1863. Only a month before, he had speculated that the fighting was not expected to ‘extend beyond the Taranaki.’2 With war breaking out within his parish borders, rather than hundreds of miles away, Lush stopped being a casual…

New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that will ban the public sale and use of fireworks across New Zealand. The abuse and misuse of fireworks far outweighs any of the benefits. “The taxpayer should not be spending millions of dollars on something that drastically impacts pets, causes inevitable fires, and causes havoc for our emergency services” – Rt Hon Winston Peters. · Enough is enough. · “This is not about being ‘nanny…

After 38 proud years gracing New Zealand’s skies, one of the nation’s most cherished warbirds is preparing to embark on a new chapter. The iconic Douglas DC-3 “Betsy” (ZK-DAK)—a symbol of aviation’s golden age and a living link to our wartime heritage—is set to leave New Zealand for Darwin, Australia, marking the end of an extraordinary era. A Last Hurrah Before the Journey North! · Before she departs, Fly DC-3 NZ and the NZ Warbirds…