1989 in New Zealand

← 1988 1987 1986 1989 in New Zealand → 1990 1991 1992
Decades:	1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
See also:	History of New Zealand List of years in New Zealand Timeline of New Zealand history

The following lists events that happened during 1989 in New Zealand.

Population

• Estimated population as of 31 December: 3,369,800. ^[1]
• Increase since 31 December 1988: 24,600 (0.74%). ^[1]
• Males per 100 Females: 97.1. ^[1]

Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

• Head of State – Elizabeth II
• Governor-General – The Rt Revd. Sir Paul Reeves GCMG GCVO QSO ^[2]

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). ^[3]

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 ^[4] 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 ^[5] passed.
• The Sale of Liquor Act ^[6] passed; it provided for supermarkets to sell wine (but not beer; this happened in 1999). Two amendments were also passed in 1989. ^[7]
• 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. ^[8]
• 9–12 April – British Airways Concorde G-BOAF visits Christchurch Airport on a world tour. ^[9]
• 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. ^[10]
• 1 May – Jim Anderton forms the NewLabour Party.
• 1 July – GST is increased from 10% to 12.5%. ^[11]
• 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. ^[12]
• 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

See also: New Zealand Music Awards

Winners are shown first with nominees underneath. ^[13]

• 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. ^[14]

Horse racing

Harness racing

• New Zealand Trotting Cup: Inky Lord ^[15]
• Auckland Trotting Cup: Neroship ^[16]

Shooting

• Ballinger Belt – Ken Meade (Petone) ^[17]

Soccer

• The Chatham Cup is won by Christchurch United who beat Rotorua City 7–1 in the final. ^[18]

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)

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

References

1. "Historical population estimates tables". Statistics New Zealand. Archived from the original on 31 December 2017.
2. Statistics New Zealand: New Zealand Official Yearbook, 1990. ISSN 0078-0170 page 52
3. "Elections NZ – Leaders of the Opposition". Archived from the original on 17 October 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
4. "Reserve Bank Act, 1989". New Zealand Law online. 1989.
5. "Maori Fisheries Act, 1989". New Zealand Law online. 1989.
6. "Sale of Liquor Act, 1989". New Zealand Law online. 1989.
7. Easton, Brian (23 February 2008). "Cheers to George Laking: 1912–2008". New Zealand Listener . 212 (3537). Archived from the original on 27 February 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
8. Garner, Theresa (9 April 1999). "Friendships born out of tragedy". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
9. Wilson, Dave (10 April 1989). "Thousands see Concorde land". The Press . p. 1.
10. Winder, Virginia (2003). "June Litman's Literary Legacy". Puke Ariki. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
11. "New Zealand Economic Chronology 1989". Reserve Bank of New Zealand . Retrieved 30 August 2024.
12. "Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 1989". Parliamentary Counsel Office. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
13. "Awards 1989". Listing. NZ Music Awards. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
14. "Christchurch 1989". Deaflympics.com. International Committee of Sports for the Deaf. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012.
15. "List of NZ Trotting cup winners". Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2009.
16. Auckland Trotting cup at hrnz.co.nz Archived 17 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
17. "New Zealand champion shot / Ballinger Belt winners". National Rifle Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 25 January 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
18. Chatham Cup records, nzsoccer.com Archived 14 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine

External links

Media related to 1989 in New Zealand at Wikimedia Commons

• NZ Internet History