The following lists events that happened during 1938 in New Zealand.
Population
- Estimated population as of 31 December: 1,618,500.
- Increase since 31 December 1937: 16,500 (1.03%).
- Males per 100 females: 103.2.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal
Government
The 25th New Zealand Parliament continues with the Labour Party in government. The general election in October results in the Labour government being returned for the 26th New Zealand Parliament.
Parliamentary opposition
Main centre leaders
Events
- 19 February: 21 people working on the Wairoa-Gisborne railway are drowned when a flash flood hits a works camp at Kopuawhara near Mahia.
- The Times, formerly The Gisborne Times, is purchased by its opposition, The Poverty Bay Herald, which the following year becomes The Gisborne Herald.
Arts and literature
See 1938 in art, 1938 in literature,
Music
See: 1938 in music
Radio
See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand
- 10 October â Radio station 2ZA launches in Palmerston North on 1400 kHz.
Film
See: , 1938 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand,
Sport
Basketball
An interprovincial championship is held even though there is no national association at this time.
- Interpovincial Champions â Men: Otago
British Empire Games
Chess
- The 47th National Chess Championship was held in Dunedin, and was won by S. Hindin of Christchurch.
Golf
- The 28th New Zealand Open championship was won by A.D. Locke.
- The 42nd National Amateur Championships were held in Otago
- Men: JP.G.F. Smith (Akarana)
- Women â matchplay: Miss S. Collins
- Women â strokeplay: Mrs R. Fullerton-Smith
Horse racing
Harness racing
Lawn bowls
The national outdoor lawn bowls championships are held in Dunedin.
- Men's singles champion â W.D. Bennett (Hastings Bowling Club)
- Men's pair champions â R.B. Clarke, C.E. Tyrrell (skip) (Roslyn Bowling Club)
- Men's fours champions â Stanley Snedden, F. Redpath, P. Munn, H. Wilson (skip) (Linwood Bowling Club)
Rugby
,
Rugby league
New Zealand national rugby league team
Shooting
Soccer
Births
- 21 January: Jim Anderton, politician. (died 2018).
- 11 February: Bevan Congdon, cricketer. (died 2018).
- 15 February: Russell Marshall, politician (died 2025).
- 24 February: Murray Hudson, soldier, winner of the George Cross. (died 1974).
- 26 May: Pauline Parker, convicted murderer.
- 11 July: Ron Sang, architect and art collector. (died 2021).
- 12 July: Stan Meads, rugby player.
- 24 July: John Sparling, cricketer.
- 29 July: Millie Khan, lawn bowler. (died 2003).
- 28 August: Aroha Reriti-Crofts, politician and community activist. (died 2022).
- 10 September: Colin Beyer, lawyer and businessman. (died 2015).
- 11 October: William Taylor, children's writer and politician. (died 2015).
- 12 October: Geoff Murphy, film director (died 2018).
- 28 October (in England): Anne Perry, convicted murderer. (died 2023)
- 29 October: Douglas Myers, businessman. (died 2017).
- 15 November: Peter Sinclair, radio and television host. (died 2001).
- 24 November: Wynne Bradburn, cricketer. (died 2008).
- 1 December: Bill Playle, cricketer. (died 2019).
- 2 December, Jonathan Hunt, politician and diplomat. (died 2024).
- 17 December: Sir Peter Snell, athlete. (died 2019).
- 18 December: Syd Jackson, political activist. (died 2007).
- 23 December: Sir Michael Hill, entrepreneur (died 2025).
Deaths
Full date unknown
See also
References
External links