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  18 August: French colony established in Akaroa.
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  European settlements established at New Plymouth and Wanganui. and in
 :New Zealand proclaimed a colony independent of New South Wales.
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  First New Zealanders compete at the Olympics as part of Australasian team.
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  Malcolm Champion becomes first New Zealander to win an Olympic Gold Medal.
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  British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948 passed.
 Protest campaign against exclusion of Māori players from rugby tour of South Africa.
 Polio epidemic closes schools.
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