# 1989 in New Zealand

"none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive
The following lists events that happened during 1989 in New Zealand.

## Population

* Estimated population as of 31 December: 3,369,800.
* Increase since 31 December 1988: 24,600 (0.74%).
* Males per 100 Females: 97.1.

## Incumbents
### Regal and viceregal

* Head of State – Elizabeth II
* Governor-General – The Rt Revd. Sir Paul Reeves GCMG GCVO QSO

### Government

The 42nd New Zealand Parliament continued. The fourth Labour Party government was in power.
* Speaker of the House – Kerry Burke
* Prime Minister – David Lange then Geoffrey Palmer
* Deputy Prime Minister – Geoffrey Palmer then Helen Clark
* Minister of Finance – David Caygill
* Minister of Foreign Affairs – Russell Marshall
* Chief Justice – Sir Ronald Davison (until 4 February), Sir Thomas Eichelbaum (starting 4 February)

### Parliamentary opposition

* Leader of the Opposition – Jim Bolger (National).

### Main centre leaders

* Mayor of Auckland – Catherine Tizard
* Mayor of Hamilton – Ross Jansen then Margaret Evans
* Mayor of Wellington – Jim Belich
* Mayor of Christchurch – Hamish Hay then Vicki Buck
* Mayor of Dunedin – Cliff Skeggs then Richard Walls

## Events

* First annual balance of payments surplus since 1973.
* The Reserve Bank Act sets the role of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand as maintaining price stability.
* The Tomorrow's Schools reforms shift substantial financial and administrative responsibilities for managing schools to elected boards of trustees.
* Local Government elections under a revised structure.
* The Māori Fisheries Act passed.
* The Sale of Liquor Act passed; it provided for supermarkets to sell wine (but not beer; this happened in 1999). Two amendments were also passed in 1989.
* April – Swedish tourists Urban Höglin and Heidi Paakkonen disappear while backpacking in the Coromandel, leading to the largest land-based search undertaken in New Zealand.
* 9–12 April – British Airways Concorde G-BOAF visits Christchurch Airport on a world tour.
* 25 April – David Lange suggests New Zealand should withdraw from the ANZUS council.
* 29 April – The Taranaki Herald publishes its last issue. The newspaper had published since 1852, and was New Zealand's oldest newspaper from 1935.
* 1 May – Jim Anderton forms the NewLabour Party.
* 1 July – GST is increased from 10% to 12.5%.
* 7 August – David Lange resigns as Prime Minister of New Zealand and is replaced by Geoffrey Palmer.
* 26 November – TV3 begins broadcasting.
* 28 November – The Abolition of the Death Penalty Act received Royal assent.
* 10 December – Sunday trading begins.

## Arts and literature

* Renee wins the Robert Burns Fellowship.
See 1989 in art, 1989 in literature, Category:1989 books

### Music
#### New Zealand Music Awards

Winners are shown first with nominees underneath.
* Album of the Year: Margaret Urlich–Safety in Numbers
** Fan Club – Respect The Beat
** The Front Lawn – Songs from The Front Lawn
* Single of the Year: Margaret Urlich – "Escaping"
** Fan Club – I Feel Love
** Double J and Twice the T/ Ray Columbus – She's A Mod
* Best Male Vocalist: Tim Finn
** Howard Morrison
** Barry Saunders
* Best Female Vocalist: Margaret Urlich
** Moana Jackson
** Aishah
* Best Group: When The Cat's Away
** The Warratahs
** The Fan Club
* Most Promising Male Vocalist: Paul Ubana Jones
** Greg Johnson
** Darren Watson
* Most Promising Female Vocalist: Janet Roddick
** Belinda Bradley
** Julie Collier
* Most Promising Group: The Front Lawn
** Double J and Twice the T
** Upper Hutt Posse
* International Achievement: The Front Lawn
** Kiri Te Kanawa
** Straitjacket Fits
* Outstanding Contribution to the Music Industry: Tony Vercoe
* Best Video: Paul Middleditch / Polly Walker / Debbie Watson – I Feel Love (Fan Club)
** Warrick (Waka) Attewell – St Peter's Rendezvous (Barry Saunders)
** Tony Johns – She's A Mod/ Mod RAP (Double J and Twice the T)
* Best Film Soundtrack / Compilation: The Front Lawn – Songs From The Front Lawn
** Rahda and the Brats -Kid in the Middle
** Various – This Is The Moment
* Best Producer: Ian Morris – Nobody Else
** Mike Chunn – All Wrapped Up
** Ross McDermott/Annie Crummer – Melting Pot (When The Cat's Away)
* Best Engineer: Nigel Stone/ Tim Farrant – Everything Will Be Alright
** DC Bell – Please Say Something
** Nick Morgan – Melting Pot
* Best Jazz Album: No Award
* Best Classical Album: Stanley Friedman – The Lyric Trumpet
** Various Artists – Bold is Brass
** Michael Houston – Scriabin/ Chopin
* Best Folk Album: Paul Ubana Jones – Paul Ubana Jones
** Phil Powers – The Light of the Lions Eye
** Phil Garland – Wind in the Tussock
* Best Gospel Album: Stephen Bell-Booth–Shelter
** Guy Wishart – Another Day in Paradise
** Steve Apirana – Steve Apirana
* Best Polynesian Album: Howard Morrison – Tukua Ahau
** Moana & The Moahunters – Pupurutia
** Black Katz Trust – Ko Wai Ka Hua
* Best Songwriter: Barry Saunders – St Peters Rendezvous
** Tim Finn – Parihaka
** Don McGlashan / Harry Sinclair – Andy
* Best Cover: Polly Walker / Debbie Watson – Safety in Numbers (Margaret Urlich)
** Gavin Blake – Workshop
** Anthony Donaldson/ Cadre Communications- The Hills Are Alive
See: 1989 in music

### Performing arts

* Benny Award presented by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand to Sylvia Rielly.

### Radio and television

* 3 April: Paul Holmes makes his first broadcast.
* 1 July: The Broadcasting Act 1989 removes restriction of broadcasting. The public broadcasting fee of NZ$110 per annum is established.
* 1 July: The Dunedin station is reduced to the Natural History Unit.
* 6 November: Channel 2 introduces morning television by commencing transmission at 6.30am weekdays and 7am weekends.
* 26 November: TV3 begins broadcasting with a two-hour preview show, with regular programming to follow at 7am the next morning.
See: 1989 in New Zealand television, 1989 in television, List of TVNZ television programming, Category:Television in New Zealand, TV3 (New Zealand), Category:New Zealand television shows, Public broadcasting in New Zealand

### Film

See: Category:1989 film awards, 1989 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, Category:1989 films

## Sport
### Athletics

* Paul Ballinger wins his fourth national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:18:21 on 29 April in Rotorua, while Bernardine Portenski claims her first in the women's championship (2:46:02).

### Deaflympics

* The XVI World Games for the Deaf were held in Christchurch from 7 to 17 January.

### Horse racing
#### Harness racing

* New Zealand Trotting Cup: Inky Lord
* Auckland Trotting Cup: Neroship

### Shooting

* Ballinger Belt – Ken Meade (Petone)

### Soccer

* The Chatham Cup is won by Christchurch United who beat Rotorua City 7–1 in the final.

## Births
### January

* 1 January – Willie Isa, rugby league player
* 3 January
** Ben Matulino, rugby league player
** Ben O'Keeffe, rugby union referee
* 6 January – Peter Betham, rugby union player
* 8 January – Aaron Cruden, rugby union player
* 18 January – Bryce Heem, rugby union player
* 20 January – Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, rugby league player
* 21 January
** Brayden Mitchell, rugby union player
** Dominique Peyroux, rugby league player
** Nafi Tuitavake, rugby union player
* 26 January
** Nicole Lewis, water polo player
** Shaun Treeby, rugby union player
* 28 January – Emma Crum, road cyclist
* 29 January – Bradley Rodden, cricketer

### February

* 1 February – Robert Eastham, sport shooter
* 2 February
** Shane Archbold, racing cyclist
** Codey Rei, rugby union player
* 6 February – Greg Morgan, cricketer
* 7 February – Hayley Saunders, netball player
* 8 February – Zac Guildford, rugby union player
* 9 February – Frae Wilson, rugby union player
* 12 February – Ellen Barry, tennis player
* 13 February – Daniel Faleafa, rugby union player
* 14 February – Sam Johnson, community activist
* 16 February
** Phillipa Gray, Paralympic track cyclist
** Ria van Dyke, beauty pageant contestant
* 19 February – Olivia Jobsis, artistic gymnast
* 21 February – Gareth Dawson, basketball player
* 24 February – Germaine Tang, rhythmic gymnast
* 28 February – Kevin Proctor, rugby league player

### March

* 2 March – James So'oialo, rugby union player
* 10 March – Reta Trotman, road cyclist
* 11 March
** Annabelle Carey, swimmer
** Tom Taylor, rugby union player
* 14 March – Katie Glynn, field hockey player
* 16 March – Patrick Leafa, rugby union player
* 17 March – Richard Kingi, rugby union player
* 20 March
** Karl Bryson, rugby union player
** Andrew Pohl, cross-country skier
* 24 March – Leighton Price, rugby union player
* 27 March – Camilla Lees, netball player
* 28 March – Rachel Mercer, road cyclist
* 30 March – Adam McGeorge, association footballer

### April

* 3 April – Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, netball player
* 4 April – Kevin Locke, rugby league player
* 6 April – Joe Matapuku, rugby league player
* 7 April – Michael Guptill-Bunce, cricketer
* 15 April – Arana Taumata, rugby league player
* 17 April – Fa'atiga Lemalu, rugby union player
* 19 April – Lauren Ellis, track cyclist
* 22 April – Arun Panchia, field hockey player
* 26 April – Lucy Talbot, field hockey player
* 27 April – Hamish Rutherford, cricketer
* 30 April – Milo Cawthorne, actor

### May

* 3 May – Jesse Bromwich, rugby league player
* 6 May – Rocky Khan, rugby union player
* 8 May
** Tinirau Arona, rugby league player
** Hayley Palmer, swimmer
* 9 May – Shane van Gisbergen, motor racing driver
* 10 May – Sean Reidy, rugby union player
* 11 May – Te Amo Amaru-Tibble, basketball and netball player
* 14 May – Vanessa Vandy, pole vaulter
* 15 May – Bailey Junior Kurariki, convicted criminal
* 17 May – Mose Masoe, rugby league player
* 21 May – Emily Robins, actor
* 27 May
** Richard Buckman, rugby union player
** Bailey Mes, netball player
* 31 May – Chase Stanley, rugby league player

### June

* 2 June – Willy Moon, musician
* 7 June – James Hamilton, snowboarder
* 9 June – Baden Kerr, rugby union player
* 10 June – William Whetton, rugby union player
* 12 June – Tim Nanai-Williams, rugby union player
* 15 June – Katie Pearce, rhythmic gymnast
* 21 June – Albert Anae, rugby union player
* 23 June – Lisa Carrington, flatwater canoer

### July

* 5 July – Lizzie Marvelly, singer, songwriter
* 9 July
** Ella Gunson, field hockey player
** Claire Kersten, netball player
* 13 July – Joel Abraham, cricketer
* 19 July – Sam McKendry, rugby league player
* 21 July
** Jordan Selwyn, actor
** Maama Vaipulu, rugby union player
* 22 July
** Israel Adesanya, mixed martial artist
** Trent Boult, cricketer
* 25 July – Blair Tuke, sailor
* 27 July
** Penelope Marshall, swimmer
** Jason Schirnack, rugby league player
* 31 July – Charlotte Harrison, field hockey player

### August

* 3 August – Teddy Stanaway, rugby union player
* 11 August – Eddie Dawkins, track cyclist
* 13 August – Greg Draper, association footballer
* 15 August
** Kendall Brown, snowboarder
** Jordan Rapana, rugby league player
* 16 August – Alistair Bond, rower
* 21 August – Natasha Hind, swimmer
* 22 August – Robbie Robinson, rugby union player
* 23 August – George Worker, cricketer
* 31 August – James Lassche, rower

### September

* 1 September – Sophie Devine, cricketer and field hockey player
* 4 September – Elliot Dixon, rugby union player
* 8 September – Jessica McCormack, basketball and netball player
* 11 September – Brendon O'Connor, rugby union player
* 13 September – Kenny Edwards, rugby league player
* 14 September
** Constantine Mika, rugby league player
** Pana Hema Taylor, actor
* 15 September
** David Ambler, sprint athlete
** Chetan Ramlu, musician
* 16 September – Nick Beard, cricketer
* 19 September
** Marty Banks, rugby union player
** Belgium Tuatagaloa, rugby union player
* 20 September – Evan Williams, squash player
* 21 September – Sandor Earl, rugby league player
* 23 September – Michael Arms, rower
* 24 September
** Cathryn Finlayson, field hockey player
** Leilani Van Dieren, rhythmic gymnast

### October

* 7 October – Ben Botica, rugby union player
* 8 October – Sione Lousi, rugby league player
* 9 October – Russell Packer, rugby league player
* 10 October – Andrew Mathieson, cricketer
* 11 October – Robbie Manson, rower
* 12 October – Sarah Miller, artistic gymnast
* 13 October – Izaac Williams, basketball player
* 15 October – Dominic Storey, motor racing driver
* 19 October – Junior Fa, boxer
* 21 October – Ivana Palezevic, actor
* 23 October – Lauren Sieprath, water polo player
* 25 October – Tim Bond, rugby union player
* 28 October
** Kelly Brazier, rugby union player
** Claire Broadbent, rhythmic gymnast
** Sam Dickson, rugby union player

### November

* 1 November – Alehana Mara, rugby league player
* 2 November – Michael Pollard, cricketer
* 3 November – The Phantom Chance, Thoroughbred racehorse
* 8 November – Jessica Moulds, netball player
* 9 November – Marcus Daniell, tennis player
* 10 November – Brendon Hartley, motor racing driver
* 12 November – Dean Robinson, cricketer
* 13 November – Alex Feneridis, association footballer
* 14 November
** Jake Robertson, athlete
** Zane Robertson, athlete
* 15 November – Natasha Hansen, track cyclist
* 15 November – Courtney Abbot, actor
* 18 November – Brady Barnett, cricketer
* 19 November – Andrew Marck, baseball player
* 20 November – Abby Erceg, association footballer
* 29 November – Jonathon Bassett-Graham, cricketer

### December

* 2 December – Jack Wilson, rugby union player
* 4 December – Buxton Popoali'i, rugby union player
* 7 December – Ria Percival, association footballer
* 8 December
** Jono Lester, motor racing driver
** Jesse Sene-Lefao, rugby league player
* 14 December – Amini Fonua, swimmer
* 15 December
** David Ambler, track athlete
** Ian Hogg, association footballer
* 20 December – Leeson Ah Mau, rugby league player
* 21 December – Ashley Smallfield, water polo player
* 22 December – Josh Junior, sailor
* 29 December – Michael Stanley, rugby union player

### Exact date unknown

* Ben Sanders, crime writer
* Owen Walker, computer hacker

## Deaths
### January–March

* 8 January – Giovanni Cataldo, fisherman, search & rescue organiser (born 1927)
* 21 January – Tiny Leys, rugby union player (born 1907)
* 22 January – Fred Ladd, aviator (born 1908)
* 29 January – Seton Otway, racehorse owner and breeder (born 1894)
* 2 February
** Harry Highet, engineer, designer of the P-class yacht (born 1892)
** Sir Arnold Nordmeyer, politician (born 1901)
* 9 February – Bill Dalley, rugby union player and administrator (born 1901)
* 13 February – Archie Strang. rugby union player (born 1906)
* 15 February – Hōri Ngata, lexicographer, local-body politician (born 1919)
* 20 February – Stuart Black, athlete (born 1908)
* 24 February – Leila Hurle, educator, school inspector (born 1901)
* 4 March
** Harold Miller, librarian, historian (born 1898)
** Randolph Rose, athlete (born 1901)
* 7 March – Nevile Lodge, cartoonist (born 1918)
* 8 March – Alf Budd, rugby union player (born 1922)

### April–June

* 2 April – Sir James Henare, soldier, Ngāpuhi leader (born 1911)
* 6 April – Marjorie Chambers, nurse, nursing tutor and administrator (born 1906)
* 13 April – Frank Hofmann, photographer, musician (born 1916)
* 22 April
** Mary Campbell, librarian, Quaker (born 1907)
** Vi Farrell, cricketer (born 1913)
* 23 April – Rupert Worker, cricketer (born 1896)
* 30 April – Nelson Dalzell, rugby union player (born 1921)
* 2 May – Freddie French, rugby league player (born 1911)
* 5 May – Dame Sister Mary Leo, music teacher (born 1895)
* 13 May – Sir Lance Cross, basketball player, sports administrator and broadcaster (born 1912)
* 4 June – Vernon Cracknell, politician (born 1912)
* 12 June – Cath Vautier, netball player, coach and administrator (born 1902)
* 26 June – Earle Riddiford, lawyer and mountaineer (born 1921)

### July–September

* 1 July
** Eric Holland, politician (born 1921)
** Olga Sansom, botanist, broadcaster, museum director (born 1900)
* 15 July – Jack Scholes, sailor (born 1917)
* 14 August – Sir Dove-Myer Robinson, politician, mayor of Auckland (1968–80) (born 1901)
* 28 August – Sir Robert Macintosh, anaesthetist (born 1897)
* 1 September – Mac Cooper, agricultural scientist (born 1910)
* 4 September – Sir Ronald Syme, historian (born 1903)
* 11 September
** Roy Traill, wildlife ranger (born 1892)
** Freddie Wood, historian (born 1903)
* 14 September – Eddie McLeod, cricketer (born 1900)
* 15 September – Harry Cave, cricketer (born 1922)
* 18 September – Sir Peter Phipps, military leader (born 1908)

### October–December

* 1 October – David Penman, Anglican archbishop (born 1936)
* 2 October – Bert Grenside, rugby union player (born 1899)
* 7 October
** Keith Elliott, soldier, recipient of the Victoria Cross (born 1916)
** Pat Twohill, actor and radio announcer (born 1915)
* 11 October – Joe Procter, rugby union player (born 1906)
* 14 October – Rodney Kennedy, artist, art critic, pacifist (born 1909)
* 23 October – Howard Alloo, cricketer (born 1895)
* 24 October – Eileen Soper, journalist, writer, Girl Guide commissioner (born 1900)
* 26 October – Andrew Roberts, cricketer (born 1947)
* 18 November – Pat Hond, police officer, teacher, Taranaki Māori leader (born 1927)
* 25 November – Kōhine Pōnika, composer of waiata Māori (born 1920)
* 28 November
** Beethoven Algar, rugby union player (born 1894)
** Stan Cawtheray, association footballer (born 1906)
* 30 November – Wiremu Heke, rugby union player (born 1894)
* 2 December – Norman Davis, English language and literature academic (born 1913)
* 8 December – Jack Rankin, rugby union player and coach (born 1914)
* 9 December – Brett Austin, swimmer (born 1959)
* 13 December – Peter de la Mare, physical organic chemist (born 1920)
* 27 December – Ron Ulmer, track cyclist (born 1913)