Estimated population as of 31 December: 2,852,100Increase since 31 December 1969: 48,100 (1.72%)Males per 100 females: 99.9Regal and viceregal
Head of State - Elizabeth IIGovernor-General - Sir Arthur Porritt Bt GCMG GCVO CBE.The 36th Parliament of New Zealand commenced, with the second National government in power.
Speaker of the House - Roy Jack.Prime Minister - Keith HolyoakeDeputy Prime Minister - Jack Marshall.Minister of Finance - Robert Muldoon.Minister of Foreign Affairs - Keith Holyoake.Attorney-General - Jack Marshall.Leader of the Opposition - Norman Kirk (Labour).Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland - Dove-Myer RobinsonMayor of Hamilton - Mike MinogueMayor of Wellington - Frank KittsMayor of Christchurch - Ron GuthreyMayor of Dunedin - Jim Barnes15 January: Police and anti-Vietnam war protestors clash outside the Intercontinental Hotel in Auckland, where visiting U.S. Vice-president Spiro Agnew is staying.The North Island natural gas network is commissioned following the completion of the Kapuni gas treatment plant. Natural gas is initially available in Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Hawera, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Levin and Wellington.Arts and literature
Edward Middleton wins the Robert Burns Fellowship.See 1970 in art, 1970 in literature, Category:1970 books
New Zealand Music Awards
Loxene Golden Disc SOLOIST AWARD Craig Scott - Lets Get A Little SentimentalLoxene Golden Disc GROUP AWARD Hogsnort Rupert - Pretty GirlSee: 1970 in music
Benny Award presented by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand to Howard Morrison and Oswald Astley Cheesman.Radio and Television
The Feltex Television Awards begin.Best Arts: Green Gin SunsetBest Light Entertainment: The Alpha PlanPublic Affairs: Gallery for Brian Edwards' interview with Christiaan Barnard.Best Documentary: Three Score Years and ThenProfessional (TVPDA award): David GardnerRadio Hauraki granted the very first commercial licence in New Zealand breaking the government monopoly of the radio airwaves.See: 1970 in New Zealand television, 1970 in television, List of TVNZ television programming, Category:New Zealand television, Category:New Zealand television shows, Public broadcasting in New Zealand
See: Category:1970 film awards, 1970 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, Category:1970 films
See:
1970 in sports, Category:1970 in sports ,
Jeff Julian wins his fourth national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:24:32 on 7 March in Napier.The 77th National Chess Championship is held in Auckland, and is won by Ortvin Sarapu of Auckland (his 11th title).New Zealand Trotting Cup: JamesAuckland Trotting Cup: Stella FrostEstablishment of the New Zealand National Soccer LeagueBlockhouse Bay are the first National Soccer Champions.The Chatham Cup is won by Blockhouse Bay, who beat Western Suburbs FC (Wellington) 3-2 in a replay after the final ended at 2-2 after extra time.Northern League premier division (Thompson Shield) - Mount AlbertCentral League first division - WatersideSouthern League first division - Christchurch TechnicalPromoted to NSL for 1971: Mount Albert-Ponsonby (following a merger) and Caversham (runners up in Southern League, as Christchurch Technical were connected to Christchurch United).12 January: Brett Leaver, field hockey player4 May: Paul Wiseman, cricketer20 May: David Smail, golfer13 June: Chris Cairns, cricketer20 June: Maia Lewis, cricketer9 August: Deborah Morris, politician13 August: Glenn Jonas, cricketer7 September: Guy Callaghan, butterfly swimmer22 September: Hitro Okesene, rugby league player19 October: Whetu Taewa, rugby league player27 October (in Samoa): Alama Ieremia, rugby player5 November: Andrew Hastie, field hockey player3 December: Karen Smith, field hockey player5 December: Matthew Horne, cricketerCatherine Chidgey, novellistDanielle Cormack, actorKatherine Dienes, organist and composerNicola Kawana, actorNanaia Mahuta, politicianSimon Power, politicianKatrina Shanks, politicianMetiria Turei, politician27 January: Rita Angus, painter.2 June: Bruce McLaren, racing driver and car designer.24 June: Tiaki Omana, politician.Philip Connolly, politician.Sir Charles Cotton, geologist.Hon. Jack Watts, politician.Category:1970 deaths