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: 3,410,400Increase since 31 December 1989: 40,600 (1.20%)Males per 100 females: 97.3Regal and viceregal
Head of State - Elizabeth IIGovernor-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 GrayPrime Minister - Geoffrey Palmer then Mike Moore then Jim BolgerDeputy Prime Minister - Helen Clark then Don McKinnonMinister of Finance - David Caygill then Ruth RichardsonMinister of Foreign Affairs - Russell Marshall then Mike Moore then Don McKinnonLeader 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 MillsMayor of Hamilton - Margaret EvansMayor of Wellington - James BelichMayor of Christchurch - Vicki BuckMayor of Dunedin - Richard WallsTelecom sold for $ 4.25 billion.New Zealand Bill of Rights Act passedThe Tongariro National Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its natural values.Creation of Te Wahipounamu World Heritage siteThe 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 establishedPenny 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 Bay1 July: Tariffs were eliminated between Australia and New Zealand under the Closer Economic Relations agreement. This was five years ahead of schedule4 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 127 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 Minister2 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 BellsBrian Smith - Moonlight SaxStraitjacket Fits - MeltSingle of the Year: The Chills – Heavenly Pop HitMargaret Urlich - Number OneNgaire - To Sir With LoveTop Male Vocalist: Barry SaundersJohn GrenellBarry SaundersTop Female Vocalist: Margaret UrlichPatsy RiggirAishahTop Group: The ChillsStraitjacket FitsFan ClubMost Promising Male Vocalist: Guy WishartAlan GallowayJohn KemptMost Promising Female Vocalist: MereniaNgaireCaroline EastherMost Promising Group: StrawpeopleMerenia & Where's BillyD-FactionInternational Achievement: Fan ClubThe ChillsMargaret UrlichBest 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 - HeartbrokeCarl Doy - Moonlight Sax (Brian Smith)Murray Grindlay - Welcome To Our WorldBest Engineer: Strawpeople – HemisphereIan Morris - Heartbroke (Rikki Morris)Murray Grindlay - Welcome To Our WorldBest Jazz Album: No AwardBest Classical Album: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa / Nszo — Kiri's HomecomingDame Malvina Major - Malvina MajorKiri Te Kanawa/NZSO - Kiri at AoteaBest Country Album: The Warratahs - Wild CardJohn Grenell - Welcome To Our WorldBartlett/ Duggan/ Vaughn - Together AgainBest Folk Album: Rua — Commonwealth SuiteMartha Louise - Changing TidesIain Mitchell/Paul Yielder - Every Man And His DogBest Gospel Album: Cecily Phio — Light in the DarknessSound Ministry - Lead Me to the RockScripture in Song - We Will TriumphBest Polynesian Album: Herbs – HomegrownNational Maori Choir - Stand TallTe Mokai - Totara TreeBest Songwriter: Martin Phillips — Heavenly Pop Hit (The Chills)Shayne Carter - Bad Note for a Heart (Straitjacket fits)Barry Saunders - Wild CardBest Cover: John Collie – Melt (Straitjacket Fits)Steve Garden/ Giles Molloy/ Kim Wesney - State of the HarpMarc Mateo/ John Pitcairn - HoleOutstanding Contribution to the Music Industry: Murdoch RileyBenny 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 TableFlying Fox in a Freedom TreeMeet the FeeblesRuby and RataSee: 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: NeroshipAuckland Trotting Cup: The Bru CzarAuckland Cup: Miss StanimaRanfurly ShieldRetained 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 AucklandAuckland beat North Auckland 41-21 in AucklandAuckland beat North Harbour 18-9 in AucklandAuckland beat Canterbury 33-30 in Auckland16 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 CityThe 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. 