On 8 June 2004, a rare astronomical event marked a historically significant moment for New Zealand. The 1769 Transit was the reason Captain Cook made his first expedition into the Southern Ocean. It was this scientific quest to determine the distance to the Sun, as well as the search for the Great Unknown Southern Continent, which motivated that epic voyage and led to the mapping and colonisation of New Zealand.

To celebrate the 2004 Transit of Venus, the Royal Society of New Zealand, in association with the Freemasons of New Zealand, ran a competition that sent teams from three secondary schools on an all-expenses paid trip to the UK. The students created videos around the topic of the Transit, from dark matter to the hardships of Pacific voyaging. The seven finalist teams were brought to Wellington for a big event at Te Papa on the night of the Transit. The two winning teams winners got to make many exciting scientific and historic excursions in the UK, such as a meeting with Stephen Hawking and a fossil hunting trip.

View the finalists’ videos and webpages

The Royal Society also co-ordinated a series of lectures around the broader theme of our place in time and space, explore the rich science and history behind the Transit.

Backgrounders
Overview of astronomy in New Zealand
The Royal Society and Cook’s first voyage
Freemasonry, the Royal Society, and the Age of Discovery

Press Releases
Transit of Venus itineraries and contact information (1 June 2004)
Celebrating the James Cook Fellows and the 2004 Transit of Venus (1 June 2004)
Winners of the Transit of Venus school video competition (27 Apr 2004)
Royal Society sending Transit of Venus Expedition to the UK (16 Feb 2004)
Students to win places on 2004 Transit of Venus Expedition (29 Oct 2003)