New Zealand celebrated its sesquicentennial, 150 years since the signing of The Treaty of Waitangi.
In the general election in October, National was elected in a landside victory.
GDP was $40.2 billion, unemployment was at 7.4% (March) and the exchange rate was 1 NZ$ per US$1.6750. This year New Zealand produced 8,000 million kWh of electricity.
Estimated population as of 31 December: 3,410,400
Increase since 31 December 1989: 40,600 (1.20%)
Males per 100 females: 97.3
Regal and viceregal
Head of State - Elizabeth II
Governor-General - Paul Reeves followed by Catherine Tizard'
The 42nd New Zealand Parliament continued, until the General election, held 27 October. The governing Labour Party was defeated. and The National Party, led by Jim Bolger, formed the new government.
Speaker of the House - Kerry Burke then Robin Gray
Prime Minister - Geoffrey Palmer then Mike Moore then Jim Bolger
Deputy Prime Minister - Helen Clark then Don McKinnon
Minister of Finance - David Caygill then Ruth Richardson
Minister of Foreign Affairs - Russell Marshall then Mike Moore then Don McKinnon
Leader of the Opposition - Jim Bolger (National), until 2 November, then Mike Moore (Labour) .
NewLabour Party - Jim Anderton (after 2 November General election)
Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland - Catherine Tizard then Les Mills
Mayor of Hamilton - Margaret Evans
Mayor of Wellington - James Belich
Mayor of Christchurch - Vicki Buck
Mayor of Dunedin - Richard Walls
Telecom sold for $ 4.25 billion.
New Zealand Bill of Rights Act passed
The Tongariro National Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its natural values.
Creation of Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site
The Royal New Zealand Navy tanker Endeavour and the frigates Wellington and Waikato were deployed to Bougainville as a neutral venue for peace talks between the government of Papua New Guinea and secessionist leaders of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army.
New Zealand ratifies the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
New Zealand and the Netherlands signed a reciprocal Social Security Agreement in October 1990, which came into effect in 1992.
Banning of wood chip exports.
Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is formed.
Establishment of the Forest Heritage Fund (later renamed "Nature Heritage Fund").
Ministry for the Environment Green Ribbon Award established
Penny Jamieson, Anglican Bishop of Dunedin, was ordained the first women Diocesan bishop in the world.
24 January: Commonwealth Games are officially opened by Prince Edward in Auckland.
1–16 February: Her Majesty Elizabeth II of New Zealand visits.
3 February: Commonwealth Games are officially closed by Elizabeth II in Auckland, with New Zealand winning 58 medals,
6 February: New Zealand celebrates its sesquicentennial.
1 March - Royal New Zealand Navy discontinues the daily rum ration.
30 April: One and two cent coins are withdrawn from legal tender.
13 May: 6.2 Magnitude earthquake in Hawke's Bay
1 July: Tariffs were eliminated between Australia and New Zealand under the Closer Economic Relations agreement. This was five years ahead of schedule
4 September: Geoffrey Palmer: resigns as Prime Minister and is replaced by Mike Moore.
1 October: The Health Research Council of New Zealand is formed.
27 October - New Zealand general election returns National with record number of seats - 67; Labour 29, NewLabour 1
27 October: Referendum to increase Parliamentary term from three to four years defeated: 30.7% For, 69.3% Against.
2 November:Jim Bolger becomes Prime Minister.
2 November: Don McKinnon becomes Deputy Prime Minister
2 November: Ruth Richardson became the first woman Minister of Finance.
13 November: David Gray, an Aramoana resident, began a 22-hour shooting spree that left 13 people and Gray dead.
Government announces $ 1.275 Billion worth of social welfare cuts.
12 December: Dame Catherine Tizard becomes first woman Governor-General of New Zealand.
Arts and literature
David Eggleton wins the Robert Burns Fellowship.
See 1990 in art, 1990 in literature, Category:1990 books
New Zealand Music Awards
Winners are shown first with nominees underneath.
Album of the Year: The Chills – Submarine Bells
Brian Smith - Moonlight Sax
Straitjacket Fits - Melt
Single of the Year: The Chills – Heavenly Pop Hit
Margaret Urlich - Number One
Ngaire - To Sir With Love
Top Male Vocalist: Barry Saunders
John Grenell
Barry Saunders
Top Female Vocalist: Margaret Urlich
Patsy Riggir
Aishah
Top Group: The Chills
Straitjacket Fits
Fan Club
Most Promising Male Vocalist: Guy Wishart
Alan Galloway
John Kempt
Most Promising Female Vocalist: Merenia
Ngaire
Caroline Easther
Most Promising Group: Strawpeople
Merenia & Where's Billy
D-Faction
International Achievement: Fan Club
The Chills
Margaret Urlich
Best Video: Niki Caro - Bad Note for a Heart (Straitjacket Fits)
Paul Middleditch - One Good Reason (Strawpeople)
Lance Kelliher - Don’t Let Me Fall Alone (The Fan Club)
Best Producer: Ian Morris - Heartbroke
Carl Doy - Moonlight Sax (Brian Smith)
Murray Grindlay - Welcome To Our World
Best Engineer: Strawpeople – Hemisphere
Ian Morris - Heartbroke (Rikki Morris)
Murray Grindlay - Welcome To Our World
Best Jazz Album: No Award
Best Classical Album: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa / Nszo — Kiri's Homecoming
Dame Malvina Major - Malvina Major
Kiri Te Kanawa/NZSO - Kiri at Aotea
Best Country Album: The Warratahs - Wild Card
John Grenell - Welcome To Our World
Bartlett/ Duggan/ Vaughn - Together Again
Best Folk Album: Rua — Commonwealth Suite
Martha Louise - Changing Tides
Iain Mitchell/Paul Yielder - Every Man And His Dog
Best Gospel Album: Cecily Phio — Light in the Darkness
Sound Ministry - Lead Me to the Rock
Scripture in Song - We Will Triumph
Best Polynesian Album: Herbs – Homegrown
National Maori Choir - Stand Tall
Te Mokai - Totara Tree
Best Songwriter: Martin Phillips — Heavenly Pop Hit (The Chills)
Shayne Carter - Bad Note for a Heart (Straitjacket fits)
Barry Saunders - Wild Card
Best Cover: John Collie – Melt (Straitjacket Fits)
Steve Garden/ Giles Molloy/ Kim Wesney - State of the Harp
Marc Mateo/ John Pitcairn - Hole
Outstanding Contribution to the Music Industry: Murdoch Riley
Benny Award presented by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand to Billy T. James MBE.
Radio and television
1 January: Avalon becomes a separate limited liability company.
5 February: The Auckland Television Centre is opened by Elizabeth II.
May: TV3 goes into receivership but continues broadcasting.
May: Sky Television launches with three channels.
May: CTV takes over TVNZ's Christchurch assets. [1]
See: 1990 in New Zealand television, 1990 in television, List of TVNZ television programming, Category:New Zealand television, TV3 (New Zealand), Category:New Zealand television shows, Public broadcasting in New Zealand
An Angel at My Table
Flying Fox in a Freedom Tree
Meet the Feebles
Ruby and Rata
See: Category:1990 film awards, 1990 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, Category:1990 films
Once Were Warriors published.
Tom Birnie wins his first national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:17:33 on 3 March in New Plymouth, while Jillian Costley claims her third in the women's championship (2:36:43).
State Championship, won by Auckland.
New Zealand Trotting Cup: Neroship
Auckland Trotting Cup: The Bru Czar
Auckland Cup: Miss Stanima
Ranfurly Shield
Retained by Auckland.
Auckland beat King Country 58-3 in Auckland.
Auckland beat Poverty Bay 42-3 in Gisborne.
Auckland beat Southland 78-7 in Auckland.
Auckland beat Otago 45-9 in Auckland
Auckland beat North Auckland 41-21 in Auckland
Auckland beat North Harbour 18-9 in Auckland
Auckland beat Canterbury 33-30 in Auckland
16 June: The All Blacks beat Scotland 31 - 16 at Carisbrook.
23 June: The All Blacks beat Scotland 21 - 18 at Eden Park.
21 July: The All Blacks beat Australia 21 - 6 at Lancaster Park.
4 August: The All Blacks beat Australia 21-18 at Eden Park.
18 August: The All Blacks lose to Australia 9 - 21 at Athletic Park.
3 November:The All Blacks beat France 24-3 at Stade de la Beaujoire.
10 November: The All Blacks beat France 30-12 at Parc des Princes.
Ballinger Belt – Alistair "Sandy" Marshall (Kaituna/Blenheim)
Susan Devoy wins the World Championship beating Martine Le Moignan 9-4, 9-4, 9-4.
The Chatham Cup is won by Mount Wellington who beat Christchurch United 3—3 (4-2 on penalties) in the final.
New Zealand National Soccer League: Waitakere City
The inaugural Winfield Provincial Championship was held between regional representative teams. The winner was Canterbury, who beat Auckland 2-1 (after extra time) in the final.
