Estimated population as of 31 December: 3,194,500Increase since 31 December 1980: 18,100 (0.57%)Males per 100 females: 98.7Regal and viceregal
Head of State - Elizabeth IIGovernor-General - The Hon Sir David Beattie GCMG GCVO QSO QC.The 39th New Zealand Parliament, led by the National Party, concluded, and in the general election the party was re-elected in the 40th New Zealand Parliament. Support for the government decreased, however, with the Labour Party receiving the largest portion of the popular vote.
Speaker of the House - Richard Harrison.Prime Minister - Robert MuldoonDeputy Prime Minister - Brian Talboys then Duncan MacIntyre.Minister of Finance - Robert Muldoon.Minister of Foreign Affairs - Brian Talboys then Warren Cooper.Attorney-General - Jim McLay.Leader of the Opposition - Bill Rowling (Labour).Social Credit Party - Bruce BeethamMain centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland - Colin KayMayor of Hamilton - Ross JansenMayor of Wellington - Michael FowlerMayor of Christchurch - Hamish HayMayor of Dunedin - Clifford George (Cliff) SkeggsJanuary - Nambassa five-day celebration of music, crafts and alternative lifestyles culture on 250-acre (100 ha) farm at Waitawheta Valley between Waihi and Waikino. Attendance 20,000.January - The second Sweetwaters Music Festival is held near Ngaruawahia.27 April - The Mahon Report into the crash of Air New Zealand Flight 901 is released, in which Juctise Peter Mahon famously accuses Air New Zealand of telling "an orchestrated litany of lies".3 May - The first newspaper published on a Sunday in New Zealand; initially called the New Zealand Times.July - Passports reintroduced for New Zealanders travelling to Australia. The Australian Royal Commission of Inquiry into Drugs says the exemption was exploited; travel had not required passports following the 1972 Trans-Tasman Travel Agreement.13 July – The South African rugby union team ("Springboks") arrives in New Zealand to begin the 1981 Springbok Tour25 July – 1981 Springbok Tour: The match between South Africa and Waikato at Rugby Park, Hamilton, is cancelled after 350 anti-apartheid protesters invade the pitch.13 September - The Springbok rugby team leave New Zealand.The Kohanga reo scheme is established by the Department of Māori Affairs.The Food Act 1981 is passed into law.The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve is establishedArts and literature
William Sewell wins the Robert Burns FellowshipSee 1981 in art, 1981 in literature, Category:1981 books
New Zealand Music Awards
Winners are shown first and in boldface with nominees underneath.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos - Dave McArtney & The Pink FlamingosDennis O'Brien - Still in the same DreamHammond Gamble - Hammond Gamble BandSINGLE OF THE YEAR: Coup D'État – Doctor, I Like Your MedicineBlam Blam Blam - No Depression in New ZealandScreaming Meemees - See Me GoTOP MALE VOCALIST: Dave McArtney (Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos)Deane WaretineiHammond GambleTOP FEMALE VOCALIST: Suzanne PrenticeJenny MorrisTina CrossTOP GROUP: Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos - Dave McArtney & The Pink FlamingosNewmaticsCoup DE'tatMOST PROMISING MALE VOCALIST: Dave McArtneyPaul SchreiderDavid HollisRichard EriwataMOST PROMISING FEMALE VOCALIST: Anne DumontCeline TonerJenny MorrisMOST PROMISING GROUP: The Screaming MeemeesBlam Blam BlamPop MechanixENGINEER OF THE YEAR: Dave Hurley & Graham Myhre - Dave McArtney & the Pink FlamingosGraham Myhre – Remember the AlamoGerry Smith – Still in the Same DreamPRODUCER OF THE YEAR: Bruce Lynch - Dave McArtney and the Pink FlamingosJames Hall – Breaking in Another DayJames Hall – Still in the Same DreamBEST COVER DESIGN: David Hollis – Caught AliveMark Clare – Broadcast O.RHal Chapman – Dave McArtney and the Pink FlamingosSPECIAL AWARD: Fred Smith - Services to the Recording Industry (particularly with regard to Copyright)See: 1981 in music
Benny Award presented by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand to Marcus Craig.Radio and television
Feltex Television Awards:Best Drama: Mortimer's PatchBest Speciality: Sport on One - SundayBest Entertainment: Radio TimesBest Documentary: MorioriBest Children's: Video DispatchBest Information: Country CalendarBest Current Affairs: Close UpBest Actor: Terence CooperBest Actress: Glynis McNicolBest Script: Little Big Man Takes a Shot at the MoonBest Television Entertainer: Hudson and HallsStan Hosgood Award for Allied Craft: Logan Brewer, Set designer for Hunters Gold, Gather Your Dreams, Children of Fire Mountain, I PagliacciSee: 1981 in New Zealand television, 1981 in television, List of TVNZ television programming, Category:New Zealand television, Category:New Zealand television shows, Public broadcasting in New Zealand
PicturesRace for the Yankee ZephyrSmash PalaceWildcatDead Kids / Strange BehaviourSee: Category:1981 film awards, 1981 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, Category:1981 films
Paul Ballinger wins his second national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:17:28 on 2 May in Rotorua, while Christine Munro claims her first title in the women's championship (2:56:04).The 88th New Zealand Chess Championship is held in Christchurch. There is a three-way tie between Ewen McGowen Green, Ortvin Sarapu, and Vernon A. Small .1 February: Australian Trevor Chappell bowled an underarm delivery to batsman Brian McKechnie in a One-day International cricket match, the third of five matches in the final of the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup.New Zealand Trotting Cup: ArmalightAuckland Trotting Cup: Delightful Lady - 2nd win13 June: The All Blacks beat Scotland 11-4 at Carisbrook20 June: The All Blacks beat Scotland 40-15 at Eden Park15 August: The All Blacks beat South Africa 14-9 at Lancaster Park as part of the 1981 Springbok Tour29 August: The All Blacks lost 12-24 to South Africa at Athletic Park as part of the 1981 Springbok Tour12 September: The All Blacks beat South Africa 25-22 at Eden Park as part of the 1981 Springbok Tour24 October: The All Blacks beat Romania 14-6 in Bucharest14 November: The All Blacks beat France 13-9 in Toulouse21 November: The All Blacks beat France 18-6 in ParisThe North vs South match is played in Dunedin and won by North, 10-4Ballinger Belt – Diane Blaymires (Te Puke)The All Whites qualify for the 1982 Football World CupNew Zealand National Soccer League won by, Wellington Diamond UnitedThe Chatham Cup is won by Dunedin City who beat Mount Wellington 3—1 in the final.5 January: Corey Flynn, rugby player.10 January: Hayden Roulston, professional cyclist.21 January: Jason Williams, rugby player.27 January: Tony Woodcock, rugby player.29 January: Jake Adams, musician.12 February: Daniel Braid, rugby player.6 March: Tim Brown, soccer player.20 March: Jamaal Lolesi, rugby league player.25 March: Mose Tuiali'i, rugby player.27 March: Sione Faumuina, rugby league player.30 April: Ali Williams, rugby player.4 May: Kate Elliott, actor.6 May: Jodi Te Huna, netball player.10 May: Lloyd Stephenson, field hockey player.19 May: Jamie How, cricketer.25 May: Shelley Paikea, singer.25 May: Matt Utai, rugby league player.25 May: Motu Tony, rugby league player.2 June: Brad Mika, rugby player.9 June: Dean Couzins, field hockey player.19 June: Moss Burmester, swimmer.28 June: Demetrius "Savage" Savelio, rapper.3 July: Tevita Latu, rugby league player.31 July: Paul Whatuira, rugby league player.31 July: Scott Talbot-Cameron, swimmer.3 August: Daniel Koprivcic, soccer player.6 September: Te Atirau Paki, television presenter.22 September: James Stosic, rugby player.27 September: Brendon McCullum, cricketer.29 September (in Germany): Shane Smeltz, soccer player.29 October (in Sydney): Jamie Waugh, writer.24 November: Ian Butler, cricketer.10 December: Caleb Ross, actor.10 December: Conrad Smith, rugby player.20 December: Leo Bertos, soccer player.23 March: Beatrice Tinsley, astronomer.21 December: Iriaka Matiu Ratana, politician.J. A. W. Bennett, literary scholar.Keith Murray, architect and ceramic designer. 