Kiwi writer and social historian Gordon McLauchlan dies, age 89

Auckland-based writer, TV presenter and social historian Gordon McLauchlan has died age 89. McLauchlan was the author of 25 books including A short History of NZ, a Short History of the NZ Wars and The Life and Times of Auckland. His 1976 bestseller The Passionless People dissected the Kiwi psyche, launching two one-hour TV programmes.