1954 in New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Population
- Estimated Population as of 31 December: 2,118,400
- Increase since 31 December 1953: 43,700 (2.11%)
- Males per 100 Females: 101.2
Regal and Vice Regal
- Head of StateHead of StateA head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
– Elizabeth II, Queen of New ZealandMonarchy in New ZealandThe monarchy of New Zealand also referred to as The Crown in Right of New Zealand, Her Majesty in Right of New Zealand, or The Queen in Right of New Zealand is the constitutional system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of the Realm of New Zealand,...
, from 6 February 1952 - Governor-GeneralGovernor-General of New ZealandThe Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
– Lieutenant-General The Lord NorrieCharles Norrie, 1st Baron NorrieLieutenant-General Charles Willoughby Moke Norrie, 1st Baron Norrie GCMG, GCVO, CB, DSO, MC & Bar was a British Army general during World War II, following which he served terms as Governor of South Australia and the eighth Governor-General of New Zealand.-Army career:After education at Eton and...
GCMGOrder of St Michael and St GeorgeThe Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
GCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
CBOrder of the BathThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
DSODistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
MCMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, from 1952–1957
Government
The 30th New Zealand Parliament expired this year. The National PartyNew Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
was elected
New Zealand general election, 1954
The 1954 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 31st term. It saw the governing National Party remain in office, but with a slightly reduced majority...
to a third term in office under Sidney Holland
Sidney Holland
Sir Sidney George Holland, GCMG, CH was the 25th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 13 December 1949 to 20 September 1957.-Early life:...
on 13 November.
- Speaker of the HouseSpeaker of the New Zealand House of RepresentativesIn New Zealand the Speaker of the House of Representatives is the individual who chairs the country's legislative body, the New Zealand House of Representatives...
– Mathew Oram from 1950 to 1957 - Prime MinisterPrime Minister of New ZealandThe Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
– Sidney HollandSidney HollandSir Sidney George Holland, GCMG, CH was the 25th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 13 December 1949 to 20 September 1957.-Early life:...
from 13 December 1949 to 20 September 1957. - Deputy Prime MinisterDeputy Prime Minister of New ZealandThe Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand is second most senior officer in the Government of New Zealand, although this seniority does not necessarily translate into power....
– Keith HolyoakeKeith HolyoakeSir Keith Jacka Holyoake, KG, GCMG, CH, QSO, KStJ was a New Zealand politician. The only person to have been both Prime Minister and Governor-General of New Zealand, Holyoake was National Party Prime Minister from 20 September 1957 to 12 December 1957, then again from 12 December 1960 to 7...
from 13 December 1949 to 20 September 1957. - Minister of FinanceMinister of Finance (New Zealand)The Minister of Finance is a senior figure within the government of New Zealand. The position is often considered to be the most important Cabinet role after that of the Prime Minister....
– Sidney HollandSidney HollandSir Sidney George Holland, GCMG, CH was the 25th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 13 December 1949 to 20 September 1957.-Early life:...
until November, followed by Jack Watts - Minister of Foreign AffairsMinister of Foreign Affairs (New Zealand)The Minister of Foreign Affairs is a major ministerial portfolio in the government of New Zealand.The current Minister of Foreign Affairs is Murray McCully, who was National Party Spokeperson of Foreign Affairs and Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs. There are also Associate Minister roles...
– Thomas Clifton WebbThomas Clifton WebbSir Thomas Clifton Webb KCMG was a New Zealand politician and diplomat. He was born in Te Kopuru in the Kaipara District, studied at Auckland University College, and practised law in Dargaville. He was in the army from 1917-1919, then returned to his practice in Dargaville and was a borough...
from 19 September 1951 to 26 November 1954, followed by Thomas Lachlan MacDonald
Parliamentary opposition
- Leader of the OppositionLeader of the Opposition (New Zealand)The Leader of the Opposition in New Zealand is the politician who, at least in theory, commands the support of the non-government bloc of members in the New Zealand Parliament. In the debating chamber the Leader of the Opposition sits directly opposite the Prime Minister...
– Walter NashWalter NashSir Walter Nash, GCMG, CH served as the 27th Prime Minister of New Zealand in the Second Labour Government from 1957 to 1960, and was also highly influential in his role as Minister of Finance...
(LabourNew Zealand Labour PartyThe New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
).
Main centre leaders
- Mayor of AucklandMayor of AucklandThe Mayor of Auckland is the directly elected head of the Auckland Council, the local government authority for the Auckland region in New Zealand...
– John LuxfordJohn LuxfordJohn Hector Luxford was a New Zealand lawyer and Mayor of Auckland City from 1953 to 1956.Born in Palmerston North, he qualified as a solicitor in 1913 and a barrister in 1919. He practised in Te Awamutu, Hamilton and Auckland. He was Chief Judge in Samoa 1929-35 and a magistrate in Auckland 1941-51...
from 1953–1956 - Mayor of HamiltonMayor of Hamilton, New ZealandThe Mayor of Hamilton, New Zealand is the head of the municipal government of Hamilton, New Zealand, and presides over the Hamilton City Council.In the 2010 Local Government elections, Julie Hardaker was elected as mayor, defeating incumbent Bob Simcock....
– Roderick Alastair MacDonald Braithwaite from 1953–1959 - Mayor of WellingtonMayor of WellingtonThe Mayor of Wellington is the head of the municipal government of Wellington, New Zealand, and presides over the Wellington City Council. The Mayor of Wellington administers only Wellington City itself — other municipalities in adjacent areas of the Wellington Region such as Lower Hutt, Upper...
– Robert MacalisterRobert MacalisterRobert Lachlan Macalister was the Mayor of Wellington from 1950 to 1956, and had been the Acting Mayor for five months in 1948 during the absence overseas of William Appleton....
from 1950–1956 - Mayor of ChristchurchMayor of ChristchurchThe Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
– Robert M. Macfarlane from 1938–1941 and again from 1950–1958 - Mayor of DunedinMayor of DunedinThe Mayor of Dunedin is the head of the municipal government of Dunedin, New Zealand, and presides over the Dunedin City Council. The Mayor is directly elected, using the Single Transferable Vote system in 2007....
– Leonard Morton Wright from 1950–1959
Events
- 12 January: 50,000 people mass in Wellington as Elizabeth II attends the state opening of Parliament.
- 30 January: The Royal tour by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip concludes at BluffBluff, New ZealandBluff is a town and seaport in the Southland region, on the southern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the southern-most town in New Zealand and, despite Slope Point being further to the south, is colloquially used to refer to the southern extremity of the country...
as they depart on the SS GothicSS GothicSS Gothic was a cargo liner launched in 1947. She was the fourth and final of the Corinthic class liners ordered by the Shaw, Savill & Albion Steamship Co. in 1946—her sister ships being , and .... - 23 June – Teenagers Pauline ParkerPauline ParkerPauline Yvonne Parker is a woman from Christchurch, New Zealand who, together with her friend Juliet Hulme , murdered her mother, Honora Rieper, on 22 June 1954...
and Juliet Hulme are arrested for the murderParker-Hulme murderThe Parker-Hulme Murder was a murder and subsequent court case that occurred in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1954, achieving notoriety because a mother was murdered by two teenage girls: her daughter and her daughter's best friend...
of Parker's mother. - 20 September – the Mazengarb ReportMazengarb ReportThe Mazengarb Report of 1954, formally titled the Report of the Special Committee on Moral Delinquency in Children and Adolescents , resulted from a ministerial inquiry sparked primarily by two infamous and well-publicised events in New Zealand's history: the 22 June 1954 Parker-Hulme murder...
on Moral Delinquency in Children and Adolescents is presented to Parliament. - 8 November – eighteen year old golf amateur Bob CharlesBob Charles (golfer)Sir Robert James Charles, ONZ, KNZM, CBE is a New Zealand professional golfer whose achievements over five decades rank him among the most successful left-handed golfers of all time, being the first lefty to win a golf major, winning more than 70 titles, and beating his age twice during a...
causes a sensation by beating a top international field to win the New Zealand Golf OpenNew Zealand OpenThe BMW New Zealand Open is the leading men's golf tournament in New Zealand. In 2011, it will be hosted by The Clearwater Resort in Christchurch from 1–4 December. The tournament is being promoted by New Zealand Golf... - 13 November – the National Party wins re-election at a general electionNew Zealand general election, 1954The 1954 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 31st term. It saw the governing National Party remain in office, but with a slightly reduced majority...
- HastingsHastings, New ZealandThe city of Hastings is a major urban settlement in the Hawke's Bay region of the North Island of New Zealand, and it is the largest settlement by population in Hawke's Bay. Hastings city is the administrative centre of the Hastings District...
becomes the first town in New Zealand to fluoridateWater fluoridationWater fluoridation is the controlled addition of fluoride to a public water supply to reduce tooth decay. Fluoridated water has fluoride at a level that is effective for preventing cavities; this can occur naturally or by adding fluoride...
its water supply.
Film
- The Seekers (film)
See: :Category:1954 film awards, 1954 in film
1954 in film
The year 1954 in film involved some significant events and memorable ones.-Events:*May 12 - The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda...
, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand
Cinema of New Zealand
New Zealand cinema, can refer to films made by New Zealand-based production companies in New Zealand. However, it may also refer to films made about New Zealand by filmmakers from other countries...
, :Category:1954 films
Appointments and awards
See: New Zealand Order of MeritNew Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
, Order of New Zealand
Order of New Zealand
The Order of New Zealand is the highest honour in New Zealand's honours system, created "to recognise outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity"...
- Archbishop of New ZealandArchbishop of New ZealandThe Archbishop of New Zealand is the primate, or head, of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. However, since Whakahuihui Vercoe stepped down at the end of his two-year term as archbishop in 2006, the church has decided that three bishops shall share the position and style of...
- Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and PolynesiaAnglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and PolynesiaThe Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia is a church of the Anglican Communion serving New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook Islands...
, see appointments to Diocese
Athletics
- 20 February: Yvette WilliamsYvette WilliamsYvette Winifred Williams, CNZM, MBE is a retired athlete from New Zealand, the first woman from her country to win an Olympic gold medal. She won her Olympic gold medal in the Long Jump event in 1952 held at Helsinki.Williams was inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame in 1990...
breaks the world long jumpLong jumpThe long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength, and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a take off point...
record by jumping 20 feet 7½ inches (6.28 metres) at Gisborne. - Edwin Rye wins his first national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:35:45 on 6 March in Hamilton, New ZealandHamilton, New ZealandHamilton is the centre of New Zealand's fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country's fourth largest territorial authority. Hamilton is in the Waikato Region of the North Island, approximately south of Auckland...
.
Chess
- The 61st National Chess Championship was held in Wellington, and was won by Ortvin SarapuOrtvin SarapuOrtvin Sarapu MBE , sometimes known as "Mr Chess", was a New Zealand chess International Master who won or co-won the New Zealand Chess Championship 20 times between 1952 and 1990.-Early life:Born Ortvin Sarapuu in Estonia, he won the Estonian Junior Championship in 1940, then defected to Finland...
of Auckland (his third successive title).
Harness racing
- New Zealand Trotting CupNew Zealand Trotting CupThe New Zealand Trotting Cup or New Zealand Cup is a Group One harness race held annually by the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington Raceway in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is considered the country's most prestigious harness racing event. the prize was NZ$750,000, the largest prize for a...
: Johnny GlobeJohnny GlobeJohnny Globe was an outstanding New Zealand bred Standardbred pacer that held four world records. He is notable in that he won the NZ Trotting Cup, the richest harness race, and sometimes the richest horse race in New Zealand. Johnny Globe is also notable in winning 15 free for all pacing events,... - Auckland Trotting CupAuckland Trotting CupThe Auckland Trotting Cup or Auckland Cup is a race held at Alexandra Park in March in Auckland, New Zealand for Standardbred horses. It is one of two major harness races, along with the New Zealand Cup, held in New Zealand each year. It is notable as it is a Group 1 championship race over...
: CaduceusCaduceus (horse)Caduceus was a New Zealand bred Standardbred racehorse. Caduceus is notable for winning the 1960 Inter Dominion Trotting Championship, trotting's premiership event in Australia and New Zealand, from a handicap of 36 yards, in front of a world record crowd...
Rugby union
- The All Blacks played four Test Matches on a tour of Europe:
- 9 January, Lansdowne Road, Dublin: New Zealand 14 – 3 Ireland
- 30 January, Twickenham, London: New Zealand 5 – 0 England
- 13 February, Murrayfield, Edinburgh New Zealand 3 – 0 Scotland
- 27 February, Stade Colombes, Paris: New Zealand 0 – 3 France
Soccer
- The national mens team undertook a 10-match tour of Australia, which included 3 internationals. They played one warm-up match prior to the tour.
- 31 July, Wellington: NZ 6 – 0 Wellington
- 3 August, Adelaide: NZ 3 – 2 South Australia
- 7 August, Adelaide: NZ 3 – 1 Australian XI
- 11 August, Melbourne: NZ 1 – 2 Victoria
- 14 August, Melbourne: NZ 2 – 1 Australia
- 18 August, Granville: NZ 0 – 3 Granville
- 21 August, Sydney: NZ 4 – 1 New South Wales Benge (2), Charlton, Olley
- 25 August, Brisbane: NZ 2 – 2 Queensland Smith, Steele
- 28 August, Brisbane: NZ 1 – 4 Australia'
- 29 August, Newcastle: NZ 1 – 1 Northern Districts Smith
- 4 September, Sydney: NZ 1 – 4 Australia
- 5 September, Bulli: NZ 4 – 4 South Coast
- The Chatham Cup1954 Chatham CupThe 1954 Chatham Cup was the 27th annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.The competition was run on a regional basis, with regional associations each holding separate qualifying rounds....
is won by OnehungaOnehunga-Mangere UnitedOnehunga-Mangere United is an semi-professional association football club in Mangere Bridge, New Zealand. They currently compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1.-History:The club was formed in 1921...
who beat WesternWestern A.F.C.Western A.F.C. is a semi-professional association football club in Christchurch, New Zealand. They compete in the Robbie's Premier Football League.-1913–1920:...
of Christchurch 1—0 in the final. - Provincial league champions:
- Auckland: North Shore UnitedNorth Shore UnitedNorth Shore United is a semi-professional football club based in North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2.Their home ground, Allen Hill Stadium, is located in the suburb of Devonport.-History:...
- Bay of Plenty: Mangakino Utd
- Buller: Millerton Thistle
- Canterbury: WesternWestern A.F.C.Western A.F.C. is a semi-professional association football club in Christchurch, New Zealand. They compete in the Robbie's Premier Football League.-1913–1920:...
- Hawke's Bay: Hastings Wanderers
- Manawatu: Palmerston North United
- Nelson: Settlers
- Northland: Otangarei United
- Otago: NorthernNorthern (soccer)Northern AFC is a semi-professional association football club in North East Valley, Dunedin, New Zealand. They are currently competing in the ODT FootballSouth Premier League.The club is based at The Gardens Ground, North East Valley, Dunedin....
- Poverty Bay: Eastern UnionGisborne CityGisborne City FC is a soccer club in Gisborne, New Zealand who play in the eastern league 1st division. Their home ground is Childers Road. They have won the National League, Air New Zealand cup, and the Chatham Cup....
- South Canterbury: Northern Hearts
- Southland: Brigadiers
- Taranaki: Old Boys
- Waikato: Huntly Thistle
- Wanganui: New Settlers
- Wellington: Stop OutStop OutStop Out is an association football club in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. They are based at Hutt Park, Gracefield in Lower Hutt.The Stop Out organisation was founded in 1919 with the aim of providing recreation to Te Aro Flat children associated with the wellington city missionso as to prevent them...
- Auckland: North Shore United
Births
- 17 March: Peter DunnePeter DunnePeter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party...
, politician - 30 April: Jane CampionJane CampionJane Campion is a filmmaker and screenwriter. She is one of the most internationally successful New Zealand directors, although most of her work has been made in or financed by other countries, principally Australia – where she now lives – and the United States...
, film director. - 11 May: Murray HaszardMurray HaszardMurray Hayden Haszard is a New Zealand entrepreneur and businessman who founded the companies B32 Software and Binary Research and is presently the chairman of Ilion Technology.Haszard married Kris MacPherson, and they had two children...
, technology entrepreneur. - 15 June: Larry RossLarry RossLarry Ross in Christchurch, New Zealand, is a former speedway rider who rode with the Wimbledon Dons, Belle Vue Aces, Halifax Dukes and the Bradford Dukes in the British League.-Career summary:...
, motorcycle speedway rider. - 17 June: Trevor MallardTrevor MallardTrevor Colin Mallard is a New Zealand politician. He was a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand holding portfolios including Environment, Labour, Broadcasting, State Owned Enterprises, Rugby World Cup and Education. He was also Associate Minister of Finance.-Early...
, politician - 5 July: John WrightJohn Wright (cricketer)John Geoffrey Wright is a former international cricketer representing - and captaining - New Zealand, and, following his retirement in 1993, coaching the Indian national cricket team from 2000 to 2005. He made his international debut in 1978 against England...
, cricket player and coach - 24 October: Tu WyllieTu WyllieTutekawa Wyllie , generally called Tu Wyllie, is a former New Zealand politician and rugby union player, who represented his country.-Early years:...
, politician - 18 November: Evan GrayEvan GrayEvan Murdoch Stephen Gray is a proffessional hockey player for the Fredericton High School men's hockey team. He previously played for the LC Lions of the Fredericton Youth Hockey Association, where he was second in team scoring during the 2010-2011 season. He currently sports a 90% average in his...
, cricketer - 24 December: Graham SligoGraham SligoGraham William Sligo is a former field hockey player from New Zealand, who was a member of the national team that finished seventh at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California.-References:*...
, field hockey player