Estimated population as of 31 December: 2,164,800Increase since 31 December 1954: 46,400 (2.19%)Males per 100 females: 101.2Regal and viceregal
Head of State – Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand, from 6 February 1952Governor-General – Lieutenant-General The Lord Norrie GCMG GCVO CB DSO MC, from 1952-1957The 31st New Zealand Parliament continued. In power was the National government under Sidney Holland.
Speaker of the House – Mathew Oram from 1950 to 1957Prime Minister – Sidney Holland from 13 December 1949 to 20 September 1957.Deputy Prime Minister – Keith Holyoake from 13 December 1949 to 20 September 1957.Minister of Finance – Jack Watts from November 1954 until 20 September 1957Minister of Foreign Affairs – Tom Macdonald from 26 November 1954 until 12 December 1957Leader of the Opposition – Walter Nash (Labour).Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland – John Luxford from 1953 to 1956Mayor of Hamilton – Roderick Braithwaite from 1953 to 1959Mayor of Wellington – Robert Macalister from 1950 to 1956Mayor of Christchurch – Robert M. Macfarlane from 1938 to 1941 and again from 1950 to 1958Mayor of Dunedin – Leonard Morton Wright from 1950 to 1959A pulp and paper mill opens at KawerauThe Rimutaka rail tunnel openedThe Marriage Act 1955 is passedArts and literature
See 1955 in art, 1955 in literature, Category:1955 books
See: 1955 in music
See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand
See: Category:1955 film awards, 1955 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, Category:1955 films
Arthur Lydiard wins his second national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:42:34 in
Auckland.
The 62nd National Chess Championship was held in Auckland, and was won by Ortvin Sarapu of Auckland (his 4th successive title).New Zealand Trotting Cup: Our RogerAuckland Trotting Cup: Prince PolkaThe Chatham Cup is won by Western of Christchurch who beat Eastern Suburbs of Auckland 6—2 in the final.New Zealand played 3 matches against South China Athletic18 June, Christchurch – 1-1 draw2 July, Wellington – NZ win 7-49 July, Auckland – NZ lose 3-5Provincial league champions:Auckland: Mount Albert GSOBBay of Plenty: Mangakino UtdBuller: Millerton ThistleCanterbury: WesternHawke's Bay: Napier RoversManawatu: Kiwi UnitedNelson: MotuekaNorthland: Otangarei UnitedOtago: King Edward Technical College OBPoverty Bay: Eastern UnionSouth Canterbury: West EndSouthland: Invercargill ThistleTaranaki: Old BoysWaikato: Huntly ThistleWanganui: Wanganui AthleticWellington: Stop Out16 January: Steve Wooddin, soccer player14 February: Margaret Knighton, equestrian eventer31 March: Robert Vance, cricketer2 April: Steve Sumner, soccer player21 April: Tuheitia Paki, Māori King27 May: Graham 'Jock' Edwards, cricketer1 June: Lorraine Moller, long-distance athlete19 June: Mary O'Connor, long-distance runner29 September: Mark Graham, rugby league footballer and coach1 November: Anne Audain, middle and long-distance athlete12 November: Roger Sumich, cyclist26 November: Barbara Tilden, field hockey player2 December: Mark Gosche, politician7 December: Te Ururoa Flavell, politicianDavid Hamilton, composer31 January: Bob Semple, trade union leader and politician.7 September: Henry Braddon, rugby union player.William Stewart, politician.John Guthrie (at sea) journalist and novelist.Category:1955 deaths
