National
Estimated populations as at 30 June.
New Zealand total – 4,596,700
North Island – 3,519,800
South Island – 1,076,300
Main urban areas
Estimated populations as at 30 June.
Regal and vice-regal
Head of State – Elizabeth II
Governor-General – The Rt Hon. Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM, QSO
2015 is the first full year of the 51st Parliament, which first sat on 21 October 2014.
The Fifth National Government, first elected in 2008, continues.
Speaker of the House – David Carter
Prime Minister – John Key
Deputy Prime Minister – Bill English
Leader of the House – Gerry Brownlee
Minister of Finance – Bill English
Minister of Foreign Affairs – Murray McCully
Labour – Andrew Little
Green – Russel Norman until 30 May then James Shaw, and Metiria Turei
New Zealand First – Winston Peters
Māori Party – Te Ururoa Flavell and Marama Fox
ACT New Zealand – David Seymour
United Future – Peter Dunne
Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland – Len Brown
Mayor of Tauranga – Stuart Crosby
Mayor of Hamilton – Julie Hardaker
Mayor of Wellington – Celia Wade-Brown
Mayor of Christchurch – Lianne Dalziel
Mayor of Dunedin – Dave Cull
Benny Award presented by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand to Johnny Devlin.
1 January – New Zealand begins its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, after being elected on the first ballot in the 2014 election.
14 February - The 2015 Cricket World Cup, jointly hosted between Australia and New Zealand, began in Christchurch with New Zealand winning against Sri Lanka
16 March — The remnants of Cyclone Pam move down the east coast of New Zealand causing evacuations, heavy flooding, and power outages.
28 March – A by-election was held in the Northland electorate to replace MP Mike Sabin of the National Party who resigned on 30 January. The electorate was regarded as a safe National seat, but was won by Winston Peters of New Zealand First.
A temporary ban on the 2013 book Into the River creates controversy.
1 September - The Flag Consideration Panel releases the short list of flag options
11 December – Voting closes on the first referendum on the New Zealand flag closes, with the black and blue variant of the Lockwood silver fern flag advancing to the second referendum.
Holidays and observances
6 February – Waitangi Day
25 April – Anzac Day
27 April – Anzac Day public holiday
1 June – Queen's Birthday Monday
26 October – Labour Day
25 December – Christmas Day
Halberg Awards
Supreme Award – All Blacks (rugby)
Sportsman – Kane Williamson (cricket)
Sportswoman – Lydia Ko (golf)
Team – All Blacks (rugby)
Disabled Sportsperson – Sophie Pascoe (swimming)
Coach – Steve Hansen (rugby)
Emerging Talent – Eliza McCartney (athletics)
New Zealand, in conjunction with Australia, will host the 2015 Cricket World Cup between 14 February and 29 March.
New Zealand will host the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup between 30 May and 20 June.
New Zealand Secondary School Championships (Maadi Cup)Maadi Cup (boys U18 coxed eight) – Hamilton Boys' High School
Levin 75th Jubilee Cup (girls U18 coxed eight) – St Margaret's College
Star Trophy (overall points) – Hamilton Boys' High School
Ballinger Belt – Ross Geange (Otorohanga)
