Estimated population as of 31 December: 1,817,500 Increase since 31/12/1946: 36,300 (2.04%)Males per 100 females: 100.3Regal and viceregal
Head of State - George VIGovernor-General - Lieutenant-General The Lord Freyberg VC GCMG KCB KBE DSO The 28th New Zealand Parliament continued, with the Labour Party in government.
Speaker of the House - Robert McKeen (Labour)Prime Minister - Peter FraserMinister of Finance - Walter NashMinister of Foreign Affairs - Peter FraserAttorney-General - Rex MasonLeader of the Opposition - Sidney Holland (National Party).Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland - John AllumMayor of Hamilton - Harold CaroMayor of Wellington - Will AppletonMayor of Christchurch - Ernest AndrewsMayor of Dunedin - Donald Cameron19 January: The TSMV Wanganella, completing her first trans-tasman crossing since World War II, went aground on Barrett Reef at the entrance to Wellington Harbour. All 400 passengers were safely evacuated and the ship was refloated on 6 February but was out of service for a further 22 months.6 February: First annual Waitangi Day ceremony held by New Zealand Navy in grounds of Treaty house, Waitangi.February: Holy Name Seminary, Christchurch (Catholic) established.6 March: The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performs for the first time1–29 April: A series of non-violent mutinies occur aboards ships and bases of the Royal New Zealand Navy18 November: 41 people die in a fire in the Ballantyne's department store in Christchurch.Arts and literature
See 1947 in art, 1947 in literature, Category:1947 books
See: 1947 in music
See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand
See: Category:1947 film awards, 1947 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, Category:1947 films
National Champions (Postal Shoot)
Open Men - W. Burton (Gisborne)Open Women - G. Norris (Dunedin)George Bromley wins his first national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:58:54 in Auckland.The first interprovincial championship for women is held.
Men - AucklandWomen - WellingtonThe 54th National Chess Championship was held in Palmerston North, and was won by T. Lepviikman of Wellington (his 2nd win).New Zealand Trotting Cup: Highland Fling Auckland Trotting Cup: Single Direct New Zealand national rugby league team beat Wales 28-20A South African team visited New Zealand and played four internationals:28 June, Christchurch: NZ 5-6 South Africa5 July, Dunedin: NZ 0-6 South Africa12 July, Wellington: NZ 3-8 South Africa19 July, Auckland: NZ 1-4 South AfricaThe Chatham Cup is won by Waterside of Wellington who beat Technical Old Boys of Christchurch 2—1 in the final.Provincial league champions: Auckland: North Shore UnitedCanterbury: WesternHawke's Bay: Napier HSOBNelson: Nelson UnitedOtago: Mosgiel AFCSouth Canterbury: Northern HeartsSouthland: Invercargill ThistleTaranaki: AlbionWaikato: Claudelands RoversWanganui: Technical College Old BoysWellington: Wellington Marist19 February: Tim Shadbolt, politician.9 March: Keri Hulme, writer.9 March: John Lister, golfer.6 May: Alan Dale, actor.6 May (in England): Carl Doy, musician and composer.6 May: Andrew Roberts, cricketer.20 May: Margaret Wilson, politician.27 May: Glenn Turner, cricketer.1 June: Gaylene Preston, filmmaker6 June: Patrick Power, tenor.22 June: Murray Webb, cricketer and caricature artist.27 August: John Morrison, cricketer.2 September: Jim Richards, motor racing driver.13 September: Annette King, politician.22 September: David Trist, cricket player and coach.18 December: Marian Hobbs, politician.Bill Hammond, painter.Gavan Herlihy, politician.Michael Wintringham, public servant.Category:1947 births
10 February: Winter Hall, silent movie actor.13 May: Frances Hodgkins, painter.17 May: George Forbes, 22nd Prime minister of New Zealand.Duncan McGregor, rugby player.Robert Alexander Wright, politician.Category:1947 deaths
