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This is a sequel to the 2010 Aotearoa calendar and its supplement which was widely distributed and well-received in many parts of the country 2 years ago. It highlights important events, milestones and signs of growth that are unique to the history and development of this country.

The origins of this project date back to 1990 when a small Wellington collective came together to research and create a resource to commemorate 150 years since the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The aim was to produce a calendar to raise awareness about the unique history of this land based on the four key themes of CULTURE, GENDER, CLASS & ECOLOGY - a social justice theme, interwoven with an ecological flavour.

Now, 22 years on, this project has been resurrected in a different format that builds on the spirit and foundation of the first “Aotearoa 1990 Calendar” and its supplement, but attempts to include further important events and milestones in the intervening period.

Naturally whoever produces such a resource has their own biases, perspectives and limitations.

For this reason I am acutely aware that this calendar will have gaps and inclusions with which not all readers or users will identify. However, it is a starting point which I hope will serve as a catalyst to inspire more New Zealanders to reflect upon and increase their knowledge and appreciation of some of the key aspects of our history and development as a nation.

Aware that so much of history is written by ‘winners’, this project is an attempt to reclaim and record some of the ‘underside’ of our history that too seldom receives acknowledgment or recognition. For this reason, not all recorded incidents and events call for celebration - some are a sobering reminder of injustices perpetrated and perpetuated, and others of only small gains made on our journey towards equality and justice for all - Marilyn Scott

Thanks and acknowledgment to the original 1990 Calendar Collective of which I was privileged to be a member: Wendy Adrichem, Jeffrey Drane, Peter Healy , Jo Loney, Marilyn Scott