1970 in New Zealand

1970 in New Zealand
The following lists events that happened during 1970 in New Zealand.
Population
Estimated population as of 31 December: 2,852,100.
Increase since 31 December 1969: 48,100 (1.72%).
Males per 100 females: 99.9.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal
Head of State – Elizabeth II
Governor-General – Sir Arthur Porritt Bt GCMG GCVO CBE.
Government
The 36th Parliament of New Zealand commenced, with the second National government in power.
Speaker of the House – Roy Jack.
Prime Minister – Keith Holyoake
Deputy Prime Minister – Jack Marshall.
Minister of Finance – Robert Muldoon.
Minister of Foreign Affairs – Keith Holyoake.
Attorney-General – Jack Marshall.
Chief Justice — Sir Richard Wild
Parliamentary opposition
Leader of the Opposition – Norman Kirk (Labour).
Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland – Dove-Myer Robinson
Mayor of Hamilton – Mike Minogue
Mayor of Wellington – Frank Kitts
Mayor of Christchurch – Ron Guthrey
Mayor of Dunedin – Jim Barnes
Events
15 January – Police and anti-Vietnam war protestors clash outside the Intercontinental Hotel in Auckland, where visiting U.S. Vice-president Spiro Agnew is staying.
20 July – Christchurch is awarded the hosting rights to the 1974 British Commonwealth Games.
The North Island natural gas network is commissioned following the completion of the Kapuni gas treatment plant. Natural gas is initially available in Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Hawera, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Levin and Wellington.
Arts and literature
Edward Middleton wins the Robert Burns Fellowship.
See 1970 in art, 1970 in literature, :Category:1970 books
Music
New Zealand Music Awards
The winners in the New Zealand Music Awards were
Loxene Golden Disc SOLOIST AWARD Craig Scott – Lets Get A Little Sentimental
Loxene Golden Disc GROUP AWARD Hogsnort Rupert – Pretty Girl
See: 1970 in music
Performing arts
Benny Award presented by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand to Howard Morrison and Oswald Astley Cheesman.
Radio and Television
The Feltex Television Awards begin.
Best Arts: Green Gin Sunset
Best Light Entertainment: The Alpha Plan
Public Affairs: Gallery for Brian Edwards' interview with Christiaan Barnard.
Best Documentary: Three Score Years and Then
Professional (TVPDA award): David Gardner
Radio Hauraki granted the very first commercial licence in New Zealand breaking the government monopoly of the radio airwaves.
See: 1970 in New Zealand television, 1970 in television, List of TVNZ television programming, :Category:Television in New Zealand, :Category:New Zealand television shows, Public broadcasting in New Zealand
Film
See: :Category:1970 film awards, 1970 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, :Category:1970 films
Sport
See: 1970 in sports, :Category:1970 in sports ,
Athletics
Jeff Julian wins his fourth national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:24:32 on 7 March in Napier.
British Commonwealth Games
Chess
The 77th National Chess Championship is held in Auckland, and is won by Ortvin Sarapu of Auckland (his 11th title).
Horse racing
Harness racing
New Zealand Trotting Cup: James
Auckland Trotting Cup: Stella Frost
Shooting
Ballinger Belt – Maurie Gordon (Okawa)
Soccer
Establishment of the New Zealand National Soccer League
Blockhouse Bay are the first National Soccer Champions.
The Chatham Cup is won by Blockhouse Bay, who beat Western Suburbs FC (Wellington) 3–2 in a replay after the final ended at 2–2 after extra time.
Northern League premier division (Thompson Shield) – Mount Albert
Central League first division – Waterside
Southern League first division – Christchurch Technical
Promoted to NSL for 1971: Mount Albert-Ponsonby (following a merger) and Caversham (runners up in Southern League, as Christchurch Technical were connected to Christchurch United).
Births
10 January: Katherine Dienes, organist and composer
12 January: Brett Leaver, field hockey player
13 February: Metiria Turei, politician
8 April: Catherine Chidgey, novelist
4 May: Paul Wiseman, cricketer
12 May: Katrina Shanks, politician
20 May: David Smail, golfer
13 June: Chris Cairns, cricketer
20 June: Maia Lewis, cricketer
19 July: Christopher Luxon, politician
9 August: Deborah Morris, politician
13 August: Glenn Jonas, cricketer
21 August: Nanaia Mahuta, politician
7 September: Guy Callaghan, butterfly swimmer
22 September: Hitro Okesene, rugby league player
5 October: Cal Wilson, comedian and broadcaster (d. 2023)
19 October: Whetu Taewa, rugby league player
27 October (in Samoa): Alama Ieremia, rugby player
5 November: Andrew Hastie, field hockey player
3 December: Karen Smith, field hockey player
5 December:
Matthew Horne, cricketer
Simon Power, politician
26 December: Danielle Cormack, actress
Nicola Kawana, actress
Deaths
27 January: Rita Angus, painter.
28 February: Brian Hewat, politician.
2 June: Bruce McLaren, racing driver and car designer.
24 June: Tiaki Omana, politician.
1 October: Reginald Bedford Hammond, surveyor, architect, town planner and senior public servant
Philip Connolly, politician.
Sir Charles Cotton, geologist.
Hon. Jack Watts, politician.
:Category:1970 deaths
See also
List of years in New Zealand
Timeline of New Zealand history
History of New Zealand
Military history of New Zealand
Timeline of the New Zealand environment
Timeline of New Zealand's links with Antarctica
For world events and topics in 1970 not specifically related to New Zealand see: 1970
References
External links
New Zealand
Years of the 20th century in New Zealand