2013 in New Zealand
Population
- National
Estimated populations as at 30 June.[1]
- Main urban areas
Estimated populations as at 30 June.[1]
- Auckland – 1,381,800
- Christchurch – 369,200
- Dunedin – 115,100
- Gisborne – 35,200
- Hamilton – 214,800
- Invercargill – 49,300
- Kapiti – 40,700
- Napier-Hastings – 127,600
- Nelson – 63,300
- New Plymouth – 54,800
- Palmerston North – 81,500
- Rotorua – 55,800
- Tauranga – 125,700
- Wellington – 389,600
- Whanganui – 39,300
- Whangarei – 53,600
Incumbents
Regal and vice-regal
Government
2013 is the second full year of the 50th Parliament, which first sat on 20 December 2011 and will dissolve on 17 December 2014 if not dissolved prior. The Fifth National Government, first elected in 2008, continues.
Other Party leaders
Main centre leaders
Local elections for all city and district councils will be held on 12 October.
Events
February
March
- 5 March – The 2013 Census of Population and Dwellings is held, a replacement for the 2011 Census which was cancelled after the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.[4]
- 20 March – Popular breakfast spread Marmite returns to supermarket shelves, albeit still in limited supply, ending "Marmageddon". The sole production line had stopped in November 2011 due to earthquake damage at the Christchurch factory, which resulted in stocks running out in March 2012.
April
- Police celebrate the second-equal lowest Easter road toll on record - three - second only to 2012's zero.[5]
- The Akaroa Marine Reserve is approved by the Minister of Conservation Nick Smith, 17 years after it was initially proposed.
- 17 April – The Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill passes its third reading, with New Zealand becoming the thirteenth country worldwide to pass laws legalising same-sex marriage.[6]
- 28 April – The South Island completes digital television transition when analogue television signals are switched off at 2:00 am.[7]
May
- 20 May – A morning peak commuter train derails on the approach to Wellington Railway Station, puncturing a hole in a carriage's floor in the process. Four people are injured and thousands of commuters are stranded as the line into the city is blocked.[8]
June
- 20–21 June – Wellington is hit by a storm, described to be the worst since the 1968 Wahine storm, with winds reaching 200 km/h. Thousands of homes lose power and part of the Hutt Valley rail line is washed out, causing severe congestion on roads for a week while it is repaired.
- 29 June – Meka Whaitiri wins the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti by-election, replacing the late Parekura Horomia.
July
- 21 July – A series of earthquakes in Cook Strait, the largest of them 6.5 MW, affect Wellington and the upper South Island.
August
- 16 August – A 6.6 MW earthquake strikes under Lake Grassmere, Marlborough, affecting Wellington and the upper South Island.
- 19 August – The Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill came into force, same-sex couples were legally able to marry from this day.
- 22 August – David Shearer announces his resignation as leader of the Labour Party, fearing he no longer had the full confidence of his caucus.[9]
September
- 15 September – David Cunliffe is elected leader of the Labour Party.
- 29 September – The Lower North Island and East Cape complete digital television transition when analogue television signals are switched off at 3:00 am.[7]
October
- 7 October – After an appeal to the Privy Council, Mark Lundy's conviction for killing his wife and daughter in August 2000 is quashed and a retrial ordered.[10]
- 12 October – Elections held for all local councils, regional councils and district health boards.[11]
November
December
- 1 December – The Upper North Island becomes the last region to complete digital television transition bringing to an end 53 years of analogue television broadcasts in New Zealand.[7]
- 11 December – New Zealand's population reaches the 4,500,000 mark, according to Statistics New Zealand estimates.[12]
Future and predicted events
Holidays and observances
Sport
Awards
- Halberg Awards
- Supreme Award – Lydia Ko (golf)
- Sportsman – Scott Dixon (motorsport)
- Sportswoman – Lydia Ko (golf)
- Team – All Blacks (rugby)
Shooting
Births
Deaths
January
February
March
- 1 March – Sammy Guillen, cricketer (born 1924)
- 2 March – Bryce Rope, rugby union coach (born 1923)
- 3 March – Johnny Hanks, boxer (born 1934)
- 9 March – Geoff Braybrooke, politician (born 1935)
- 18 March – Robin Williams, mathematician (born 1919)
- 20 March – George Lowe, mountaineer, last surviving member of 1953 Everest expedition (born 1924)
- 21 March – Sir Ewan Jamieson, armed forces chief (born 1930)
- 23 March – Peter Sutton, Anglican clergyman, Bishop of Nelson (1965–90) (born 1923)
- 24 March – Barbara Anderson, author (born 1926)
- 29 March – Warren Freer, politician (born 1920)
- 30 March – Eric Hertz, businessman (born 1954)
April
- 15 April – Dave McArtney, rock guitarist (born 1951)
- 25 April – Eion Scarrow, gardening expert, television presenter, author (born 1931)
- 26 April
- 28 April – Bernie Wood, sports historian and rugby league administrator (born 1939)
- 29 April
May
June
July
August
September
- 10 September – Mel Cooke, rugby league player (born 1934)
- 11 September – Albert Jones, amateur astronomer (born 1920)
- 18 September – Roy McLennan, politician, mayor of Nelson (1971–80) (born 1924)
- 27 September – Larry Savage, rugby union player (born 1928)
October
- 21 October – Karl Sim, artist and art forger (born 1923)
- 23 October – Ted Thorne, naval officer (born 1923)
- 25 October – Ron Ackland, rugby league player and coach (born 1934)
November
December
See also
References
