The Tangiwai Disaster

The Tangiwai Disaster

Author: Graham Stewart

Publisher:

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 60

ISBN-13: 9781869340902

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The complete story of Tangiwai -- Christmas Eve 1953 -- as told by someone who was there -- when 151 people lost their lives through forces and circumstances beyond man's control. At the time, Tangiwai was rated the eighth worst railway tragedy in the world by the toll of those killed and injured. Since that sad Christmas Eve many questions are still being asked: Was it negligence by man? Why were recurring lahars ignored? Was it an accident waiting to happen? The name Tangiwai means 'weeping waters' or 'waters of sorrow', from tangi, to weep or lament; and wai, water. It was so named to commemorate the loss of a Maori paramount chief who, according to legend, perished in a raging torrent that suddenly overwhelmed the normally placid crossing place in the Whangaehu River. Fiordland greenstone is also known as Tangiwai because the flecks in it resemble tears.


Journey to Tangiwai

Journey to Tangiwai

Author: David Hill

Publisher:

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 191

ISBN-13: 9781869434991

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It's 1953 and Peter is determined that his scout patrol will get to the finals of a First Aid competition. This means travelling to Auckland by train on Christmas Eve, a journey that Peter will never forget. Suggested level: intermediate, junior secondary.


New Zealand's Worst Disasters

New Zealand's Worst Disasters

Author: Graham Hutchins

Publisher: Exisle Publishing

Published: 2015-10-01

Total Pages: 381

ISBN-13: 1775592499

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A full train plunges into a raging river at Tangiwai; the Wahine is tossed onto rocks at the entrance to Wellington Harbour; an Air New Zealand DC-10 plunges into Mt Erebus; an earthquake destroys Christchurch … disasters like these are known to all New Zealanders: they are part of our history. But New Zealand has experienced many less well-known disasters, some of them shocking and brutal. Graham Hutchins and Russell Young describe some of the most extraordinary events in New Zealand history. Who knew that a fire killed 39 people at Seacliff Mental Hospital in 1942? That 10 people died in a lahar on White Island in 1914? That a yacht race between Lyttelton and Wellington in 1951 resulted in 10 fatalities? That a tornado ripped through 150 houses in Hamilton in 1948? A fire raging through Raetihi in 1918 was so fierce it destroyed houses, shops and 11 timber mills. Drownings were so common here in the 19th century that they were called ‘the New Zealand death’. These and many other remarkable stories are told in this eye-opening book. While it describes accidents and tragedies, it also reveals acts of heroism. For when human beings make mistakes, others often achieve daring feats of rescue. Some of the stories show that we underestimate Mother Nature at our peril, but many also testify to the courage of the human spirit. Few books are genuine page-turners; this one is.


Observing the Volcano World

Observing the Volcano World

Author: Carina J. Fearnley

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-07-13

Total Pages: 754

ISBN-13: 3319440977

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This open access book provides a comprehensive overview of volcanic crisis research, the goal being to establish ways of successfully applying volcanology in practice and to identify areas that need to be addressed for future progress. It shows how volcano crises are managed in practice, and helps to establish best practices. Consequently the book brings together authors from all over the globe who work with volcanoes, ranging from observatory volcanologists, disaster practitioners and government officials to NGO-based and government practitioners to address three key aspects of volcanic crises. First, the book explores the unique nature of volcanic hazards, which makes them a particularly challenging threat to forecast and manage, due in part to their varying spatial and temporal characteristics. Second, it presents lessons learned on how to best manage volcanic events based on a number of crises that have shaped our understanding of volcanic hazards and crises management. Third, it discusses the diverse and wide-ranging aspects of communication involved in crises, which merge old practices and new technologies to accommodate an increasingly challenging and globalised world. The information and insights presented here are essential to tapping established knowledge, moving towards more robust volcanic crises management, and understanding how the volcanic world is perceived from a range of standpoints and contexts around the globe.


60 Million Gingernuts

60 Million Gingernuts

Author: Peter Janssen

Publisher: Hodder Moa

Published: 2012-07-31

Total Pages: 129

ISBN-13: 1869712889

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Did you know there are 60 million gingernuts produced in New Zealand every year? Or that the biggest hangi included 150 cattle, 480 pigs, 180 sheep, 7200 litres of milk and 9000 eggs? Did you know that a female giant weta is the heaviest insect in the world? Or that 1982 is our record year for divorces (12,395)? No? Then you need 60 Million Gingernuts. This fascinating book gathers together this country?s most amazing, inspiring and bizarre records. With chapters on nature, history, manmade wonders, popular culture, sport, eating & drinking, and much more, this extensive book will captivate both young and old.


Eccentric Britain

Eccentric Britain

Author: Benedict Le Vay

Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 316

ISBN-13: 9781841621227

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A delightful romp around the British Isles searching out the mad marquess, the eccentric earl, the barmy baron, and the daft duke and gathering a fair collection of crackpot inventors, weird adventurers and fascinatingly and not to mention insanely curious customs along the way. All of which make this rainy little island home to that remarkable breed of individual - the British eccentric.This expanded book still doesn't tell you where Stonehenge is, but it does tell you where ten spookier stone circles are where there will be no crowds, no admission charges and no parking problems... This is a book for the intelligent, humorous, curious tourist who doesn't go with the crowd. It is also a great armchair read that has been known to have readers weeping with mirth at the weird ways of the British.


People, Power, and Law

People, Power, and Law

Author: Alexander Gillespie

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2022-05-05

Total Pages: 641

ISBN-13: 1509931627

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This book offers a unique insight into the key legal and social issues at play in New Zealand today. Tackling the most pressing issues, it tracks the evolution of these societal problems from 1840 to the present day. Issues explored include: illegal drugs; racism; the position of women; the position of Maori and free speech and censorship. Through these issues, the authors track New Zealand's evolution to one of the most famously liberal and tolerant societies in the world.