New Zealand showed no hesitation in emulating Britain's declaration of war on Germany and entering World War I. New Zealand troops became the first to occupy German territory when they took over Samoa in November.
Regal and viceregal
Head of State - George V
Governor - Arthur Foljambe, 2nd Earl of Liverpool
The 18th New Zealand Parliament concludes, and the Reform Party is returned for its second term of office following the 1914 general election on 10 December.
Speaker of the House - Frederic Lang (Reform Party)
Prime Minister — William Massey
Minister of Finance - James Allen
Leader of the Opposition — Joseph Ward (Liberal Party).
Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland - James Parr
Mayor of Wellington - John Luke
Mayor of Christchurch - Henry Holland
Mayor of Dunedin - John Bradley Shacklock then James John Clark
17 January: Joseph Hammond is the first person to fly over Auckland city. He flies a Blériot monoplane (named Brittania) which has been donated to the New Zealand Government by the Imperial Air Fleet Committee, from Potter's Park (near One Tree Hill).
20 February: James William Humphrys Scotland makes the first substantial cross-country flight in New Zealand. He flies from Invercargill to Gore, a distance of 61 kilometres (38 mi), in 40 minutes in a Caudron biplane. He continues on to Dunedin, Timaru and Christchurch where he arrives on 6 March.
18 April: Auckland Exhibition closes,
4 August: New Zealand declares war on Germany.
29 August: 1374 New Zealand troops land in Samoa and are offered no resistance by German colonial forces. This is the second German territory (after Togoland) to be captured by the Allies.
25 September: The first attempt by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to depart New Zealand for Europe is aborted due to concerns about the presence of German raiders.
16 October: The main body of the NZEF, some 8000 troops, finally departs New Zealand for Australia where they will join with the First AIF.
1 November: The 38 ships carrying the NZEF (10 ships) and the AIF (28 ships) leave Perth, Western Australia. Although expecting to sail to England they will receive orders to land in Egypt while crossing the Indian Ocean.
Early December: The NZEF and AIF land in Egypt.
10 December: General Election.
Arts and literature
See 1914 in art, 1914 in literature, Category:1914 books
See: 1914 in music
Hinemoa, the first feature film made in New Zealand, premieres at the Lyric Theatre, Auckland.
The 27th National Chess Championship was held in Auckland, and was won by W.E. Mason of Wellington, his 5th title.
The eighth New Zealand Open championship was won by Ted Douglas (his second consecutive victory).
The 22nd National Amateur Championships were held in Auckland Men: Arthur Duncan (Wellington) - 8th title
Women: Mrs G. Williams - 2nd title
New Zealand Trotting Cup: Win Soon
Auckland Trotting Cup: Steel Bell
During the 1914 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand, the Kiwis lose to Great Britain 16 - 13 in Auckland
Taranaki defend the Ranfurly Shield against Wanganui (17–3), Manawatu (11–3), Horowhenua (14–3), Wairarapa (22–3), Canterbury (6–5) and Southland (6–0) before losing to Wellington (6–12)
Provincial league champions:
Auckland: Auckland Thistle
Canterbury: Sydenham
Hawke's Bay: Waipukurau
Otago: Northern
Southland: Rangers
Wanganui: Eastbrooke
Wellington: Wellington Corinthians
Anthony Wilding, partnered with Norman Brookes wins the men's doubles at the Wimbledon Championship.
The Davis Cup final is held in New York City. New Zealander Anthony Wilding and Australian Norman Brookes (playing as Australia rather than Australasia) beat the United States 3-2.
