Estimated population as of 31 December: 3,163,900Increase since 31 December 1978: -1,300 (-0.04%)Males per 100 females: 99.0Regal and viceregal
Head of State - Elizabeth IIGovernor-General - The Rt Hon. Sir Keith Holyoake KG GCMG CH QSO.Speaker of the House - Richard Harrison.Prime Minister - Robert MuldoonDeputy Prime Minister - Brian Talboys.Minister of Finance - Robert Muldoon.Minister of Foreign Affairs - Brian Talboys.Attorney-General - Jim McLay.Leader of the Opposition - Bill Rowling (Labour).Social Credit Party - Bruce BeethamMain centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland - Dove-Myer RobinsonMayor of Hamilton - Ross JansenMayor of Wellington - Michael FowlerMayor of Christchurch - Hamish HayMayor of Dunedin - Clifford George (Cliff) Skeggs17 February – an Air New Zealand Fokker F27 Friendship crashed into Manukau Harbour while on final approach to Auckland Airport 1 crew and 1 company staff member were killed.24 May – Labour MP Malcolm Douglas is removed from Parliament six months after the 1978 general election, after an electoral petition by National opponent Winston Peters is upheld over irregularities in the votes of the Hunua electorate. Peters subsequently replaces Douglas30 July – The carless days scheme is introduced, restricting private motor vehicles from driving on one day of the week.8 August – 1979 Abbotsford landslip: Sixty-nine homes in the Dunedin suburb of Abbotsford are left uninhabitable after 18 hectares (44 acres) of land slips 48 metres in 15 minutes.3 November – The Evening Star ceases publication. The Dunedin newspaper was founded in 1863.28 November – Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashes in Mount Erebus, Antarctica, killing all 237 passengers and 20 crewmembers aboard.Two years after its official opening, the new executive wing of Parliament House, known as the Beehive, is fully completed and occupied by the Government.Arts and literature
Michael A Noonan wins the Robert Burns Fellowship.Nambassa beach festival, touring family roadshow. Whangamata Waihi Beach Mount Maunganui and Coromandel.Nambassa three-day music, crafts and alternative lifestyle festival on Phil and Pat Hulses' 400-acre (1.6 km2) farm in Golden Valley, north of Waihi. Attendance 75,000 plus.Summer '79, outdoor arts festival in the parks of Wellington - including the Botanical Gardens, the Newtown Zoo, the Town Belt and several suburban parks.See 1979 in art, 1979 in literature, Category:1979 books
New Zealand Music Awards
ALBUM OF THE YEAR Street Talk – Street TalkSINGLE OF THE YEAR Th' Dudes – Be Mine TonightTOP MALE VOCALIST Rob GuestTOP FEMALE VOCALIST Sharon O'NeillTOP GROUP Th' DudesMOST PROMISING MALE VOCALIST Jon StevensMOST PROMISING FEMALE VOCALIST Tina CrossMOST PROMISING GROUP Street TalkPRODUCER OF THE YEAR Steve Robinson - This Heart This SongENGINEER OF THE YEAR Gerry Smith – This Heart This SongBEST COVER DESIGN Geoff Chunn, Peter Burt & Dale Wrightson – Just Drove Through TownSee: 1979 in music
Benny Award presented by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand to Eddie Hegan and Chic Littlewood.Radio and television
Feltex Television Awards:Best Current Affairs: Dateline MondayBest Documentary: OkaritoBest Drama: The Mad Dog Gang meets Rotten Fred and RatsgutsBest Speciality: Spot OnBest Information: Fair GoBest Actor: David McPhail in A Week of ItBest Actress: Barbara EwingEntertainer of the Year: David McPhailSpecial Committee Award: Selwyn Toogood for pioneering work in Radio and TelevisionSee: 1979 in New Zealand television, 1979 in television, List of TVNZ television programming, Category:New Zealand television, Category:New Zealand television shows, Public broadcasting in New Zealand
Middle Age SpreadSons for the Return HomeSee: Category:1979 film awards, 1979 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, Category:1979 films
Tony Good wins his first national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:18:47.3.The 86th New Zealand Chess Championship is held in North Shore, and is won by Ortvin Sarapu of Auckland (his 16th title).New Zealand Trotting Cup: Lord ModuleAuckland Trotting Cup: SaplingA New Zealand team consisting of Larry Ross, Mitch Shirra, Ivan Mauger and Bruce Cribb win the motorcycle Speedway World Team Cup held at White City Stadium in London.5th Netball World Championships held in Trinidad and Tobago. Australia, New Zealand and Trinidad and Tobago all tied for first place.New Zealand National Soccer League won by Mt. Wellington AFCThe Chatham Cup is won by North Shore United who beat Mount Wellington 2—1 in the final.27 January: Daniel Vettori, cricketer1 February: Peter Fulton, cricketer15 February: Hamish and James Marshall, cricketers15 March: Kyle Mills, cricketer20 March: Keven Mealamu, rugby union player26 March: Ben Blair, rugby union player12 May (In Nadi, Fiji): Amasio Valence, rugby sevens player15 May (in Samoa): Chris Masoe, rugby union player.8 June: Adine Wilson, netball player.2 July: Michael Papps, cricketer.30 July: Louise Corcoran, skeleton racer.3 October: Rodney So'oialo, rugby union player14 November: Carl Hayman, rugby union player20 November: Maree Bowden, netball player3 December: Daniel Bedingfield, pop singerPete Wheeler, artist.Category:1979 births
October: Marty Johnstone, drug trafficker ('Mr Asia')28 November: Peter Mulgrew, mountaineer (died in Mount Erebus disaster)Category:1979 deaths
