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Famous New Zealanders

Peter Jackson, Lorde and Richie McCaw are famous nationally and internationally. Discover resources about famous New Zealand explorers, heroes, inventors, scientists, singers, writers, sportsmen, sportswomen, musicians and artists. SCIS no: 1816043

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Edmund Hillary & Sherpa Tenzing

Edmund Hillary & Sherpa Tenzing

Edmund Hillary & Sherpa Tenzing 1 B&W photo print, copy Beside aircraft shaking hands in greeting or farewell. Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society...

Beyond the Edge

Beyond the Edge

Beyond the Edge tells the story of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay’s first ascent of the world’s highest mountain. Award-winning director Leanne Pooley (Untouchable Girls) mixes archiv...

Sir Edmund Hillary

Sir Edmund Hillary

This life-size oil painting is of Sir Edmund Hillary who famously was the first man to reach the summit of Mount Everest with Tenzing Norgay. Hillary was not only a mountaineer but also an explorer...

Hillary's diary

Hillary's diary

Excerpts from Edmund Hillary’s diary as he made his way up Mt Everest.

Ernest Rutherford

Ernest Rutherford

Ernest Rutherford, circa 1930. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

World-changing New Zealanders

Features 40+ definitive short biographies of New Zealanders who have changed or benefitted the world.

Famous New Zealanders

Comprehensive list of famous New Zealanders for primary and intermediate students.

Peter Jackson

Peter Jackson, with the miniature set reproducing 1950s Newtown from the film 'Braindead'. Photograph taken 1 February 1992, probably in Wellington, by Evening Post staff photographer Mark Coote. ...

In 2020 Jacinda Ardern, the 40-year-old New Zealand Prime Minister is one of the world's most recognizable leaders.

George Nēpia is considered to be one of New Zealand rugby’s finest players. He played all 32 matches for the famous 1924-25 ‘Invincibles’ on their tour of the British Isles, France and Canada.

Richie McCaw with the Webb Ellis trophy

Richie McCaw with the Webb Ellis trophy

Richie McCaw celebrates New Zealand winning the Rugby World Cup once again.

Katherine Mansfield's passport

Katherine Mansfield's passport

Katherine Mansfield’s passport showing her travel through Europe.

Sir Robert Muldoon

Sir Robert Muldoon

Portrait of Sir Robert Muldoon taken on his last day in his parlamentary office. Photographed by an Evening Post staff photographer 10 February 1992. Quantity: 1 colour original negative(s) Singl...

Biography of Hōne Heke, one of the first Māori chiefs to sign the treaty.

Article about Charles Upham, New Zealand's most famous soldier.

John Minto

Caricature of John Minto, peace activist, who stands on a soap box and speaks through a megaphone. Title from file name Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Peter Fraser, New Zealand’s wartime PM, led the nation for nine years. Respected rather than loved like Savage, many experts rate him our finest PM.

Seddon house

The Seddon Statue is a memorial to one of New Zealand's legendary prime ministers.

Tim Finn performs Parihaka

Tim Finn performs Parihaka

Tim Finn and Herbs perform “Parihaka” intercut with Finn in front of Colin McCahon’s “Parihaka” triptych exhibited at the Auckland Art Gallery Director: Fane Flaws; Director of Photography: Alun Bo...

Biography of Charles Heaphy.

David Lange at the Oxford Union

David Lange at the Oxford Union

David Lange speaking to the Oxford Union about New Zealand’s anti-nuclear policy.

Apirana Turupa Ngata

Apirana Turupa Ngata

Biography of Apirana Ngata.

Witi Ihimaera

Documentary about Māori writer Witi Ihimaera.

Sir Peter Blake and Philip Jameson

Sir Peter Blake and Philip Jameson

Sir Peter Blake and the youngest member of Team New Zealand, Philip Jameson, hanging red socks on a clothes line. Photographed ca 19 December 1995 by Evening Post staff photographer Ross Giblin. R...

JANET FRAME

NOVELIST. SHORT STORY WRITER. ESSAYIST. POET Nene Janet Paterson Clutha ONZ CBE 1924 – 2004 Nene Janet Paterson Clutha published under the name Janet Frame and became one of New Zealand’s most dis...

Music video by Crowded House performing the song Weather With You.

Biography of famous All Black, Jonah Lomu.

NZ On Screen: people

Film clips and information about famous/well-known New Zealanders.

The 50 coolest Kiwis ever

The most famous and admired New Zealanders in the world right now.

Explanation of the artwork of famous New Zealand Artist, Rita Angus.

Most popular people born in "New Zealand"

IMDb list of the most popular people born in New Zealand.

New Zealand writers files

Welcome to the Read NZ Te Pou Muramura Writers' Files, the most comprehensive online collection of information about Aotearoa New Zealand's writers.

Sir Frederic Truby King

Sir Frederic Truby King

Here Sir Truby King is seen visiting the Karitane Products Society Factory which was commissioned by him to produce a type of infant formula called Karicare. The factory built in 1922 was designed ...

Lorde, the Royals official video.

Famous New Zealanders

Website about famous New Zealanders.

Jean Batten was New Zealand's greatest aviator, celebrated around the world for her heroic solo flights during the 1930s.

Sir Archibald Hector McIndoe

Sir Archibald Hector McIndoe

Dunedin born Archibald McIndoe became famous for his pioneering work as a plastic surgeon. In Britain during World War Two, he was responsible for restoring the faces and hands of young pilots who ...

Helen Clark cartoon

Helen Clark cartoon

Here Trace Hodgson has depicted ex-Prime Minister Helen Clark as a Boadicea-like warrior. "I do see myself as a strong person, with strong opinions,” Helen Clark once said. She has also been descri...

Princess Te Kirihaehae Te Puea Herangi

Princess Te Kirihaehae Te Puea Herangi

This photograph of Princess Te Kirihaehae Te Puea Herangi (or Princess Te Puea as she was more commonly known) shows her wearing the medal she received in 1938, the Commander of the British Empire ...

Venetian children

Venetian children by Frances Hodgkins

During her first trip across Europe early last century Francis Hodgkins sketched as she travelled, in this case a quick watercolour of two Venetian children. She returned to New Zealand but left fo...

Peter Snell

Photograph of Sir Peter George Snell, famous New Zealand Olympian known for the various records he has set in middle distance running. This photograph was taken during the time of the 1960 Summer O...

Moana Maniapoto

Moana Maniapoto is welcomed into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

Many Answers

Contains useful links to websites about famous New Zealanders.

Women - Notable Firsts in NZ

Women - Notable Firsts in NZ

Amazing! Women in NZ were the first in the world to receive the vote and to have a registered nurse! Other notable firsts have been achieved in NZ and internationally. Let's celebrate those miles...

Mr Henry Sewell

Mr Henry Sewell – first premier of New Zealand, or colonial secretary as they were earlier called.

New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame

A celebration of New Zealand’s sports people.

Guide Rangi with Mrs Roosevelt

Guide Rangi, New Zealand’s cultural ambassador meets Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt outside the Māori meeting house at Whakarewarewa.

Michael Joseph Savage

Michael Joseph Savage – the first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Peter James Quinn: New Zealanders in Focus

Article about Peter James Quinn, New Zealand’s famous social documentary photographer. Find this article on New Zealand Geographic, available through EPIC. School login maybe required.

A history of New Zealand Women

Barbara Brookes writes about the history of New Zealand, as seen through the eyes of famous New Zealand women. Find this book on The New Zealand History Collection, available through EPIC. School...

An autobiography of Bruce McLaren, a famous New Zealand race car driver.

Sir Charles Upham

Many Answers has a page to guide you to reviewed websites and databases on Charles Upham.

Dictionary of New Zealand Biography

Explore the life stories of over 3,000 people who shaped the culture and history of New Zealand.

Singers and musicians

Many Answers has a page to guide you to reviewed websites and databases on New Zealand singers and musicians.

New Zealander of the Year

The New Zealander of the Year Award recognises an individual, who has made an outstanding contribution to the well-being of the nation.

Provides information on everything you need to know about the All Blacks.

NZ on Screen: Interviews

Interviews of New Zealanders in the screen industry

Whina Cooper (1895–1994, Te Rarawa) was a Māori teacher, leader, and activist who fought lifelong for Maori rights.

Parris Goebel (Parri$)

An excerpt from a Sunday profile of Parris Goebel.

The Story of Archibald Baxter Year 8 : Level 4 Mar : 2012

A School Journal article about one of New Zealand's most famous conscientious objectors, Archibald Baxter, and his experiences during the First World War.

Meeting Katherine Mansfield Year 4 : L2 August : 2015 : 18-19

A School Journal poem about feeling drawn to a painting of Katherine Mansfield in Te Papa.

Melodie Robinson, Black Fern Year 7 : Part 04 No. : 2003

Huw Turner interviews Melodie Robinson, who is one of New Zealand's leading rugby players. Melodie has been a member of the Black Ferns rugby team that has won two World Cups.

Don't miss it! Year 6 : Part 03 No. 2 : 2004

This School Journal article is about Friedrich Hundertwasser, the renowned Austrian architect who came to live in New Zealand.

Ten New Zealand celebrities that defined the decade

Local celebrities who defined the last decade (2010’s) in Aotearoa.

New Zealand Geographic

Contains in-depth articles about New Zealand inventors and scientists. Epic Log in required.

Choie Sew Hoy was one of Otago’s most prominent entrepreneurs. He revolutionised gold dredging, exported scrap metal, glass and fungus to China and imported sought-after Chinese goods.

Sir Peter Blake

This page on Many Answers has links to reviewed websites and databases about the life of Sir Peter Blake.

Julian Dennison

Actor Julian Dennison made his screen debut in 2013 feature Shopping.

Kate Sheppard: New Zealand activist

Kate Sheppard was a leader in the woman suffrage movement in New Zealand and helped make the country the first in the world to give women the right to vote.

Find more information on famous New Zealanders using EPIC. Databases recommended: Australia New Zealand Reference Centre, Gale Biography, Bridget Williams Books, NZ History Collection. Login maybe ...

Don Binney at his home studio, Parnell, 2005

Don Binney at his home studio, Parnell, 2005

490 x 580mm (framed), 315 x 415mm (print); Pigment inks on archival stock 2013

Top results for Famous New Zealanders from AnyQuestions

Many Answers

Many Answers

Contains useful links to websites about famous New Zealanders.

Junior Secondary

Singers and musicians (New Zealand)

Singers and musicians (New Zealand)

New Zealand's singers and musicians have been influenced by music brought in by the early settlers, Māori music...

Senior Primary

Famous people (junior)

Famous people (junior)

Famous people are people who are well-known in many places for what they have done. They come from lots of different...

Senior Primary

Famous people

Famous people

Famous people are people who are well known throughout the world for what they have done. They come from all areas of...

Junior Secondary

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