Hot Topics

Browse our hot topics for information on current events and popular topics.

 

See Also:

 

• Teen study pages - covering all the main topics
• Children's homework pages 

 

Featured Hot Topics

World War 1

World War 1, originally called the Great War, was a major international conflict that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918.  More than 65 million soldiers were mobilised for the armies, navies and air forces, with about 8.5 million losing their lives, and more than 21 million wounded.

 

 

 

 

 

Springbok Tour 1981

In 1981 the nation was divided. In 56 days more than 150,000 people took part in 205 demonstrations in 28 centres, and 1500 were charged with offences stemming from these protests.

 

 

 

 

 

Earthquakes

An earthquake is the sudden shaking of the ground that occurs when masses of rock change position below the Earth's surface. GeoNet locates between 50 and 80 earthquakes each day in New Zealand, but most of those are minor and not big enough to be felt. Read more for general information about why earthquakes happen and some notable historic New Zealand earthquakes including the recent Canterbury earthquakes.