Most New Zealanders became New Zealand citizens in addition to being British subjects, as the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948 came into effect.
The National government of Sydney Holland was elected in the New Zealand general election, 1949.
Estimated population as of 31 December: 1,892,100 Increase since 31/12/1948: 38,200 (2.06%)Males per 100 females: 100.7Regal and viceregal
Head of State - George VIGovernor-General - Lieutenant-General The Lord Freyberg VC GCMG KCB KBE DSO The 28th New Zealand Parliament continued. Government was the Labour until after the November general election, which saw it replaced by National Party.
Iriaka Ratana (Labour) is the first Māori woman elected to Parliament.
Speaker of the House - Robert McKeenPrime Minister - Peter Fraser then Sidney HollandDeputy Prime Minister - Keith Holyoake (from 13 December)Minister of Finance - Walter Nash then Sidney HollandMinister of Foreign Affairs - Peter Fraser then Frederick DoidgeAttorney-General - Rex Mason then Clifton WebbLeader of the Opposition - Sidney Holland (National Party) until 13 December, then Peter Fraser (Labour).Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland - John AllumMayor of Hamilton - Harold David CaroMayor of Wellington - Will AppletonMayor of Christchurch - Ernest AndrewsMayor of Dunedin - Donald Cameron1 January: the status of New Zealand Citizen comes into existence.9 March: Referendums on gambling (passed) and extending hotel hours (failed).3 August: Referendum on military training (passed)29 November: Elections to the four Māori seats30 November: General election won by National Party under Sidney HollandArts and literature
See 1949 in art, 1949 in literature, Category:1949 books
See: 1949 in music
See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand
See: Category:1949 film awards, 1949 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, Category:1949 films
National Champions
Open Men - W. Burton (Gisborne)Open Women - D. Johnstone (Dunedin)George Bromley wins his second national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:40:05.6 in Christchurch.Interpovincial Champions: Men - WellingtonInterpovincial Champions: Women - Palmerston NorthThe 56th National Chess Championship was held in Wanganui, and was won by A.E. Nield of Auckland.New Zealand Trotting Cup: Loyal Nurse Auckland Trotting Cup: Captain Sandy - 2nd win The New Zealand horse Foxzami wins the 1949 Melbourne Cup, ridden by W FellowsCategory:Rugby union in New Zealand, Category:All Blacks
Ranfurly ShieldNew Zealand national rugby league team
The Chatham Cup is won by Petone who beat Northern 1—0 in the final.Provincial league champions: Auckland: EdenCanterbury: Technical OBHawke's Bay: Napier HSOBNelson:Otago: NorthernSouth Canterbury: Northern HeartsSouthland: BrigadiersTaranaki: CityWaikato: RotowaroWanganui: Wanganui AthleticWellington: Seatoun22 January: Cilla McQueen, poet24 January: Bill Bush, rugby player28 January: Mike Moore, Prime Minister and Director-General of the World Trade Organization15 February: Ashraf Choudhary, politician19 February: Brenda Matthews, sprinter28 April: Steve Gilpin, musician (d. 1992)20 September: Alan McIntyre, field hockey player10 October: Lance Cairns, cricketer2 November: Bruce Biddle, road cyclist29 November (in England): Dave Bright, soccer playerLaurence Aberhart, photographerLaurence Clark, cartoonistJohn Hanlon, musicianDonna Awatere Huata, politicianNigel Brown, painterIan Ewen-Street, politicianCategory:1949 births
7 October: Matiu Ratana, politician and Ratana church leader29 October: Patrick Harvey, rugby union player28 December: Jack Lovelock, athleteCategory:1949 deaths
