3 ATLASES
History of New Zealand in maps
New Zealand as it appears in 3 interactive history atlases, from 1914 to 1991: New Zealand. Each era below lists who ruled the land and when control changed, linked to the dated map that shows it.
WW2 is free in full, and chapter 1 of every atlas is free. A free account opens 3 more chapters a day. Starter, at $9 a month, opens all 21 with no daily limit — see the plans.
What was New Zealand before it was New Zealand? The sections below follow this land through every era covered by the Maps of History atlases: who ruled it, what it was called, and when control changed. Each line links to the dated map. Modern borders serve as an approximation, as each atlas says on the map itself.
New Zealand · WWI
A tenth of New Zealand’s entire population served in uniform, making its proportional contribution among the heaviest of the war. New Zealanders fought from Gallipoli to Passchendaele, where one day in October 1917 remains the country’s deadliest ever. Anzac Day joins New Zealand to Australia in remembering the same beaches.
| Entente-aligned & imperial territories — the opening position |
New Zealand · WW2
New Zealand sent a larger share of its population to war than almost any Allied nation. Its division fought at Crete, El Alamein and Cassino. The Pacific war also changed where New Zealand looked for security: like Australia, it shifted toward the United States.
| Western Allies — the opening position |
New Zealand · Cold War
| NATO & core Western allies — the opening position |
COLD WAR: EVERY CHAPTER AND MAP →
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