1981 in New Zealand
Population
- Estimated Population as of 31 December: 3,194,500[1]
- Increase since 31 December 1980: 18,100 (0.57%)
- Males per 100 Females: 98.7
Incumbents
Regal and Vice Regal
Government
The 39th New Zealand Parliament, led by the National Party, concluded, and in the general election the party was re-elected in the 40th New Zealand Parliament. Support for the government decreased, however, with the Labour Party receiving the largest portion of the popular vote.
Parliamentary opposition
Main centre leaders
Events
- January - Nambassa five day celebration of music, crafts and alternative lifestyles culture on 250-acre (100 ha) farm at Waitawheta Valley between Waihi and Waikino. Attendance 20,000.
- January - The second Sweetwaters Music Festival is held near Ngaruawahia.
- 27 April - The Mahon Report into the crash of Air New Zealand Flight 901 is release, in which Juctise Peter Mahon famously accuses Air New Zealand of telling "an orchestrated litany of lies".
- 3 May - The first newspaper published on a Sunday in New Zealand; initially called the New Zealand Times.
- July - Passports reintroduced for New Zealanders travelling to Australia. The Australian Royal Commission of Inquiry into Drugs says the exemption was exploited; travel had not required passports following the 1972 Trans-Tasman Travel Agreement.
- 13 July - Springbok rugby union team arrive in New Zealand to begin the 1981 Springbok Tour
- 13 September - The Springbok rugby team leave New Zealand.
- The Kohanga reo scheme is established by the Department of Māori Affairs.
Arts and literature
See 1981 in art, 1981 in literature, Category:1981 books
Music
- ALBUM OF THE YEAR Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos - Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos
- SINGLE OF THE YEAR Coup D'État – Doctor, I Like Your Medicine
- TOP MALE VOCALIST Dave McArtney (Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos)
- TOP FEMALE VOCALIST Suzanne Prentice
- TOP GROUP Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos - Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos
- MOST PROMISING MALE VOCALIST Dave McArtney
- MOST PROMISING FEMALE VOCALIST Anne Dumont
- MOST PROMISING GROUP The Screaming Meemees
- ENGINEER OF THE YEAR Dave Hurley & Graham Myhre - Dave McArtney & the Pink Flamingos
- PRODUCER OF THE YEAR Bruce Lynch - Dave McArtney and the Pink Flamingos
- BEST COVER DESIGN David Hollis – Caught Alive
- SPECIAL AWARD Fred Smith - Services to the Recording Industry (particularly with regard to Copyright)
See: 1981 in music
Radio and Television
- Feltex Television Awards:
See: 1981 in New Zealand television, 1981 in television, List of TVNZ television programming, Category:New Zealand television, Category:New Zealand television shows, Public broadcasting in New Zealand
Film
See: Category:1981 film awards, 1981 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, Category:1981 films
Appointments and awards
See: New Zealand Order of Merit, Order of New Zealand
Sport
Athletics
- Paul Ballinger wins his second national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:17:28 on 2 May in Rotorua, while Christine Munro claims her first title in the women's championship (2:56:04).
Chess
Cricket
Horse racing
Harness racing
Thoroughbred racing
Rugby Union
Soccer
Births
- 5 January: Corey Flynn, rugby player.
- 10 January: Hayden Roulston, professional cyclist.[10]
- 21 January: Jason Williams, rugby player.
- 27 January: Tony Woodcock, rugby player.
- 29 January: Jake Adams, musician.
- 12 February: Daniel Braid, rugby player.
- 6 March: Tim Brown, soccer player.
- 20 March: Jamaal Lolesi, rugby league player.
- 25 March: Mose Tuiali'i, rugby player.
- 27 March: Sione Faumuina, rugby league player.
- 30 April: Ali Williams, rugby player.
- 4 May: Kate Elliott, actor.
- 6 May: Jodi Te Huna, netball player.
- 10 May: Lloyd Stephenson, field hockey player.
- 19 May: Jamie How, cricketer.
- 25 May: Shelley Paikea, singer.
- 25 May: Matt Utai, rugby league player.
- 25 May: Motu Tony, rugby league player.
- 2 June: Brad Mika, rugby player.
- 9 June: Dean Couzins, field hockey player.
- 18 June: Teresa Cormack, child murder victim.
- 19 June: Moss Burmester, swimmer.
- 28 June: Demetrius "Savage" Savelio, rapper.
- 3 July: Tevita Latu, rugby league player.
- 31 July: Paul Whatuira, rugby league player.
- 31 July: Scott Talbot-Cameron, swimmer.
- 3 August: Daniel Koprivcic, soccer player.
- 6 September: Te Atirau Paki, television presenter.
- 22 September: James Stosic, rugby player.
- 27 September: Brendon McCullum, cricketer.
- 29 September (in Germany): Shane Smeltz, soccer player.
- 29 October (in Sydney): Jamie Waugh, writer.
- 24 November: Ian Butler, cricketer.
- 10 December: Caleb Ross, actor.
- 10 December: Conrad Smith, rugby player.
- 20 December: Leo Bertos, soccer player.
Deaths
See also
For world events and topics in 1981 not specifically related to New Zealand see: 1981
References
External links
Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:1981_in_New_Zealand 1981 in New Zealand] at Wikimedia Commons