The shape of New Zealand politics for the next five decades was defined when, in the aftermath of their heavy defeat by Labour, the United and Reform parties merged to form the New Zealand National Party. In the meantime, the Labour government began implementing significant social changes.
A census was held in March 1936.
Regal and viceregal
Head of State - George V (until 20 January), Edward VIII (20 January to 11 December), George VI
Governor-General - The Viscount Galway GCMG DSO OBE PC
The 25th New Zealand Parliament continued with the Labour Party in government.
Speaker of the House - Bill Barnard (Labour Party)
Prime Minister - Michael Joseph Savage
Minister of Finance - Walter Nash
Minister of Foreign Affairs - Michael Joseph Savage
Attorney-General - Rex Mason
Leader of the Opposition - George Forbes (United/Reform Party until May, then National Party), succeeded in November by Adam Hamilton (National).
Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland - Ernest Davis
Mayor of Hamilton - John Robert Fow
Mayor of Wellington - Thomas Hislop
Mayor of Christchurch - Dan Sullivan then John Beanland
Mayor of Dunedin - Edwin Thomas Cox
25 March: First session of the 25th Parliament commences.
11 June: Parliament goes into recess.
21 June: Parliament resumes.
31 October: First session of the 25th Parliament concludes.
Arts and literature
See 1936 in art, 1936 in literature, Category:1936 books
See: 1936 in music
Radio broadcasting of sessions of Parliament commences.
See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand
Phar Lap's Son
The Wagon and the Star
On the Friendly Road
See: Category:1936 film awards, 1936 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, Category:1936 films
The 45th National Chess Championship was held in Christchurch, and was won by A.W. Gyles of Wellington.
The 26th New Zealand Open championship was won by Andrew Shaw, his 7th title.
The 40th National Amateur Championships were held in New Plymouth Men: J.P. Hornabrook (Manawatu)
Women: Miss E. White-Parsons
See New Zealand at the 1936 Summer Olympics
Indianapolis wins his third New Zealand Trotting Cup.
Auckland Trotting Cup: King's Warrior
Category:Rugby union in New Zealand, Category:All Blacks
Ranfurly Shield
New Zealand national rugby league team
An Australian national side tours New Zealand, beating the home team heavily in all three internationals:4 July, Dunedin: NZ 1-7 Australia
11 July, Wellington: NZ 0-10 Australia
18 July, Auckland: NZ 1-4 Australia
The Chatham Cup is won by Western of Christchurch who beat Auckland Thistle 3—2 in the final.
Provincial league champions: Auckland: Thistle
Canterbury: Western
Hawke's Bay: Watersiders
Nelson: YMCA
Otago: Seacliff
Southland: Corinthians
Wanganui: Thistle
Wellington: Hospital
14 March: Bob Charles, golfer.
21 March: Margaret Mahy, writer.
23 April: John D'Arcy, cricketer.
28 April: Ans Westra, photographer.
3 June: Colin Meads, rugby union player.
18 June: Denny Hulme, racing driver.
7 August: Joy Cowley, author.
15 August: Hamish Keith, writer, art curator.
10 October: Artie Dick, cricketer.
23 October: Barry Sinclair, cricketer.
Bruce Beetham, politician.
Terence O'Brien, diplomat.
Category:1936 births
10 March: David Kennedy, priest, astronomer.
13 March: Francis Bell (New Zealand politician), politician and 20th Prime minister of New Zealand.
24 June: Frederick Revans Chapman, Judge.
17 September (in the Cook Islands): Ettie Rout, campaigner for safe sex.
31 December: John Dumbell, rugby union footballer.
William Hall-Jones, 16th Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Sir James Mills, founder of the Union Steamship Company.
Category:1936 deaths
