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MY NEW ZEALAND STORY: JOURNEY TO TANGIWAI

Brief Description
The Tangiwai disaster, on the eve of Christmas 1953, remains one of the major disasters in New Zealand’s history. My New Zealand Story: Journey to Tangiwai by David Hill offers a compelling narrative set against this backdrop. Peter Cotterill, age 13, starts the year writing in... Read More
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The Tangiwai disaster, on the eve of Christmas 1953, remains one of the major disasters in New Zealand’s history. The year is 1953. Peter Cotterill starts the year writing in a journal given to him by his great aunt. The story culminates in a train ride to Auckland, in the night, unbeknownst to the travellers, a lahar washes away a railway bridge.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Tangiwai disaster, on the eve of Christmas 1953, remains one of the major disasters in New Zealand’s history. My New Zealand Story: Journey to Tangiwai by David Hill offers a compelling narrative set against this backdrop.

Peter Cotterill, age 13, starts the year writing in a journal given to him by his great aunt. We follow him through a year of many changes as his town of Napier struggles through hard times in the aftermath of World War 2. Peter joins the scouts and learns to overlook the small-town class structure.

The story climaxes in a train ride to Auckland with his fellow scouts on the eve of Christmas. In the night, unbeknownst to the travellers, a lahar has washed away a railway bridge, culminating in an event so tragic that it shocked the nation.

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