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1969 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1969 in New Zealand.

Population

  • Estimated population as of 31 December: 2,804,000.
  • Increase since 31 December 1968: 31,000 (1.12%).
  • Males per 100 females: 99.7.

Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

Government

The 35th parliament concluded and a general election was held on 26 November. It saw the Second National Government of New Zealand returned for a fourth term, with 45 of the 84 seats. The Social Credit Party lost its only seat. The overall vote was very close, with National only 1% ahead of Labour in total votes cast.

Parliamentary opposition

Main centre leaders

Events

  • The voting age is lowered from 21 to 20.
  • A law change allows the number of seats in Parliament to increase in order to preserve the number of South Island seats. This increases the number of MPs from 80 to 84.
  • The trading banks computerise cheque handling and money transfer between banks with overnight processing, between February and November, see Databank Systems Limited.
  • The Maui gas field was discovered, 35 km off the coast of Taranaki.
  • The Save Manapouri campaign was launched at a public meeting in Invercargill in October.
  • The Auckland Harbour Bridge was widened from 4 to 8 lanes.
  • Blood and breath alcohol limits introduced for drivers.
  • 6 November – Coastlands Shopping Centre opens for the first time.

Arts and literature

See 1969 in art, 1969 in literature

Music

New Zealand Music Awards

Loxene Golden Disc Shane – Saint Paul

See: 1969 in music

Radio and television

  • Coverage of the Apollo 11 Moon landing on videotape was flown from Sydney to Wellington by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and a microwave link was put together to allow its simultaneous broadcast throughout the country.
  • 5 November: the first Network News bulletin was read at 7.35 pm by Dougal Stevenson and received simultaneously around the country

See: 1969 in New Zealand television, 1969 in television, List of TVNZ television programming, Public broadcasting in New Zealand , .

Film

See: , 1969 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand,

Performing arts

Sport

Athletics

  • Track events within New Zealand switch from imperial to metric distances. Field events would switch later in 1972.
  • Jeff Julian wins his third national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:19:07.6 on 8 March in Christchurch.

Chess

  • The 76th National Chess Championship is held in Wellington, and the title is shared by B.R. Anderson of Christchurch and Ortvin Sarapu of Auckland.

Horse racing

Harness racing

Shooting

Soccer

Births

Deaths

See also

References

External links