1981 in New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Population
- Estimated Population as of 31 December: 3,194,500
- Increase since 31 December 1980: 18,100 (0.57%)
- Males per 100 Females: 98.7
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,... - 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....
- The Hon. Sir David BeattieDavid Beattie-External links:*...
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...
QSOQueen's Service OrderThe Queen's Service Order was established by Queen Elizabeth II on 13 March 1975, awarded by the government of New Zealand "for valuable voluntary service to the community or meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or...
QCQueen's CounselQueen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
.
Government
The 39th New Zealand Parliament39th New Zealand Parliament
The 39th New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand which began with the general election held on 25 November 1978, and finished with the general election held on 28 November 1981...
, led by the National Party
New 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:...
, concluded, and in the general election
New Zealand general election, 1981
The 1981 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 40th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Robert Muldoon, win a third term in office, although the opposition Labour Party, led by Bill Rowling, actually won the largest share of...
the party was re-elected in the 40th New Zealand Parliament
40th New Zealand Parliament
The 40th New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. Its composition was determined by the 1981 elections, and it sat until the 1984 elections....
. Support for the government decreased, however, with the Labour Party
New Zealand Labour Party
The 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....
receiving the largest portion of the popular vote.
- 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...
- Richard Harrison. - 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...
- Robert MuldoonRobert MuldoonSir Robert David "Rob" Muldoon, GCMG, CH served as the 31st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984, as leader of the governing National Party. Muldoon had been a prominent member of the National party and MP for the Tamaki electorate for some years prior to becoming leader of the party... - 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....
- Brian TalboysBrian TalboysSir Brian Edward Talboys, CH, KCB, AC, is a former New Zealand politician. He served as Deputy Prime Minister for the first two terms of Robert Muldoon's premiership. If the abortive "Colonels' Coup" against Muldoon had been successful, Talboys would have become Prime Minister himself.-Early...
then Duncan MacIntyreDuncan MacIntyre (New Zealand)Brigadier-General Duncan MacIntyre, CMG, DSO, OBE, ED, PC was a New Zealand politician of the National Party. He served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1981 to 1984 under Prime Minister Robert Muldoon.-Member of Parliament:...
. - 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....
- Robert MuldoonRobert MuldoonSir Robert David "Rob" Muldoon, GCMG, CH served as the 31st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984, as leader of the governing National Party. Muldoon had been a prominent member of the National party and MP for the Tamaki electorate for some years prior to becoming leader of the party...
. - 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...
- Brian TalboysBrian TalboysSir Brian Edward Talboys, CH, KCB, AC, is a former New Zealand politician. He served as Deputy Prime Minister for the first two terms of Robert Muldoon's premiership. If the abortive "Colonels' Coup" against Muldoon had been successful, Talboys would have become Prime Minister himself.-Early...
then Warren CooperWarren CooperWarren Cooper QSO is a former New Zealand politician. He was a National Party MP from 1975 to 1996, holding cabinet positions including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence. Cooper also twice served as Mayor of Queenstown, from 1968 to 1975 and 1995 to 2001.-Early life:Cooper was...
. - Attorney-GeneralAttorney-General (New Zealand)The Attorney-General is a political office in New Zealand. It is simultaneously a ministerial position and an administrative office, and has responsibility for supervising New Zealand law and advising the government on legal matters...
- Jim McLayJim McLayJames Kenneth McLay, CNZM, QSO , generally known as Jim McLay, is a former New Zealand politician. He was Deputy Prime Minister, leader of the National Party and Leader of the Opposition for a short time. McLay is currently New Zealand's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.-Early...
.
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...
- Bill RowlingBill RowlingSir Wallace Edward Rowling, KCMG , often known as Bill Rowling, was the 30th Prime Minister of New Zealand. He was in office for just over a year, having been appointed Prime Minister following the death of the highly popular Norman Kirk...
(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....
). - Social Credit PartySocial Credit Party (New Zealand)The New Zealand Social Credit Party was a political party which served as the country's "third party" from the 1950s through into the 1980s. The party held a number of seats in the New Zealand Parliament, although never more than two at a time...
- Bruce BeethamBruce BeethamBruce Craig Beetham was an academic and politician from New Zealand, whose career spanned the 1970s and early 1980s.A lecturer at Hamilton's University of Waikato and at the Hamilton Teacher's Training College, he was elected leader of the Social Credit Party in 1972, at a time when the party was...
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...
- Colin KayColin KayColin Kay CBE was a New Zealand sportsman and politician. He was the 34th Mayor of Auckland City, elected for one term serving from 1980 to 1983, and chairman of the Auckland Regional Council from 1986 to 1992... - 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....
- Ross Jansen - 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...
- Michael Fowler - 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...
- Hamish HayHamish HaySir Hamish Grenfell Hay was a New Zealand politician, who served as Mayor of Christchurch for fifteen years, from 1974 to 1989.-Early life:... - 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....
- Clifford George (Cliff) Skeggs
Events
- January - NambassaNambassaNambassa was a series of hippie-conceived festivals held between 1976 and 1981 on large farms around Waihi and Waikino in New Zealand. They were music, arts and alternatives festivals that focused on peace, love, and an environmentally friendly lifestyle...
five day celebration of music, crafts and alternative lifestyles culture on 250 acres (101.2 ha) farm at Waitawheta Valley between WaihiWaihiWaihi is a town in Hauraki District in the North Island of New Zealand, especially notable for its history as a gold mine town. It had a population of 4,503 at the 2006 census....
and WaikinoWaikinoWaikino is a small town situated in the North Island of New Zealand nestled in the Southern end of a gorge alongside the Ohinemuri River, between Waihi and the Karangahake Gorge. The Waikino district lies at the base of the ecologically sensitive Coromandel Peninsula with its vast tracts of lush...
. Attendance 20,000. - January - The second Sweetwaters Music FestivalSweetwaters Music FestivalSweetwaters Music Festival was a series of events held between 1980 and 1999, at venues such as a farm in Ngaruawahia, then further north on a farm near Pukekawa, and finally at South Auckland, New Zealand.- Events:*1980 - Ngaruawahia*1981 - Ngaruawahia...
is held near NgaruawahiaNgaruawahiaNgāruawāhia is a town in the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 20 km north-west of Hamilton at the confluence of the Waikato and Waipa Rivers...
. - 27 April - The Mahon Report into the crash of Air New Zealand Flight 901Air New Zealand Flight 901Air New Zealand Flight 901 was a scheduled Air New Zealand Antarctic sightseeing flight that operated between 1977 and 1979, from Auckland Airport to Antarctica and return via Christchurch...
is release, in which Juctise Peter MahonPeter Mahon (lawyer)Peter Thomas Mahon QC was a New Zealand High Court Judge, best known for his Commission of Inquiry into the crash of Air New Zealand Flight 901 . His son, Sam Mahon is a well-known artist.-Military Service:...
famously accuses Air New ZealandAir New ZealandAir New Zealand Limited is the national airline and flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 26 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations in 15 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, and is...
of telling "an orchestrated litany of lies". - 3 May - The first newspaper published on a Sunday in New Zealand; initially called the New Zealand Times.
- July - Passports reintroduced for New Zealanders travelling to Australia. The Australian Royal Commission of Inquiry into Drugs says the exemption was exploited; travel had not required passports following the 1972 Trans-Tasman Travel Agreement.
- 13 July - SpringbokSouth Africa national rugby union teamThe South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
rugby unionRugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
team arrive in New Zealand to begin the 1981 Springbok Tour1981 Springbok TourThe 1981 South African rugby union tour of New Zealand was a controversial tour of New Zealand by the South Africa national rugby union team, known as "the Springboks"... - 13 September - The Springbok rugby team leave New Zealand.
- The Kohanga reoKohanga reoThe Māori language revival is a movement to promote, reinforce and strengthen the speaking of the Māori language. Primarily in New Zealand, but also in centres with large numbers of New Zealand migrants , the movement aims to increase the use of Māori in the home, in education, government and...
scheme is established by the Department of Māori Affairs.
Arts and literature
- William SewellWilliam SewellWilliam Sewell , English divine and author, was born at Newport, Isle of Wight, the son of a solicitor.He was educated at Winchester and Merton College, Oxford, was elected a fellow of Exeter College in 1827, and from 1831-1853 was a tutor there. From 1836-1841 he was White's Professor of Moral...
wins the Robert Burns FellowshipRobert Burns FellowshipThe Robert Burns Fellowship, established in 1958 as a bicentennial celebration, is claimed to be New Zealand's premier literary residency. The list of past fellows includes many of New Zealand's most notable writers....
.
See 1981 in art
1981 in art
-Events:* 10 September - Picasso's painting Guernica is returned from New York to Madrid.-Works:*Tony Cragg - Britain as Seen from the North*John Doubleday - Statue of Charlie Chaplin...
, 1981 in literature
1981 in literature
The year 1981 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction given for the first time...
, :Category:1981 books
New Zealand Music AwardsNew Zealand Music AwardsThe New Zealand Music Awards show, is a major annual New Zealand music event where musical acts and singers are awarded each year. It has occurred every year since 1965 to outstanding New Zealand musicians and groups....
- ALBUM OF THE YEAR Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos - Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos
- SINGLE OF THE YEAR Coup D'État – Doctor, I Like Your Medicine
- TOP MALE VOCALIST Dave McArtney (Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos)
- TOP FEMALE VOCALIST Suzanne PrenticeSuzanne PrenticeSuzanne Prentice is a country singer in New Zealand.Much respected icon in New Zealand for talented leadership in educational field with young people via music,numerous recordings worldwide....
- TOP GROUP Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos - Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos
- MOST PROMISING MALE VOCALIST Dave McArtney
- MOST PROMISING FEMALE VOCALIST Anne Dumont
- MOST PROMISING GROUP The Screaming MeemeesThe Screaming MeemeesThe Screaming Meemees were one of the biggest post-punk new-wave pop bands in New Zealand in the early 1980s. The band formed in Auckland in 1979, composed of vocalist Tony Drumm, guitarist Michael O'Neill, keyboard and bass player Peter van der Fluit and drummer "Laurence "Yoh" Landwer-Johan...
- ENGINEER OF THE YEAR Dave Hurley & Graham Myhre - Dave McArtney & the Pink Flamingos
- PRODUCER OF THE YEAR Bruce LynchBruce LynchBruce Lynch, born 1948, New Zealand, is an electric and acoustic bassist, producer and arranger.Arriving in the UK in the mid-70s, he became a highly sought-after studio and session musician touring extensively with Cat Stevens, including the 1976 Earth Tour, as well as appearing on six albums...
- Dave McArtney and the Pink Flamingos - BEST COVER DESIGN David Hollis – Caught Alive
- SPECIAL AWARD Fred Smith - Services to the Recording Industry (particularly with regard to Copyright)
See: 1981 in music
1981 in music
See also:* Timeline of musical eventsThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1981.-January–April:*January 10 – A revival of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance opens at Broadway's Uris Theatre, starring Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith.*January 24 –...
Radio and Television
- Feltex Television Awards:
- Best Drama: Mortimer's PatchMortimer's PatchMortimer's Patch was a popular TVNZ police drama from the early 1980s. It featured actors Terence Cooper, Sean Duffy, Don Selwyn and Jim Hickey and depicted detective and police work in the fictional town of "Cobham". It was filmed in and around Henderson, New Zealand.**...
- Best Speciality: Sport on One - Sunday
- Best Entertainment: Radio Times
- Best Documentary: Moriori
- Best Children's: Video Dispatch
- Best Information: Country CalendarCountry CalendarCountry Calendar is a television series covering rural life in New Zealand. Established in March 1966 and screening every year since, it is New Zealand's longest-running television series...
- Best Current Affairs: Close UpClose UpClose Up is a half-hour long New Zealand current affairs programme produced by Television New Zealand. The programme airs at 7.00pm weeknights on TV ONE and is presented by Mark Sainsbury with Paul Henry as the back up supporting host.The show remains the country's most watched night news and...
- Best Actor: Terence CooperTerence CooperTerence Cooper was a film actor.Born in 1933 at Carnmoney, today an area within the borough of Newtownabbey near Belfast, Northern Ireland, Cooper is most famous for appearing in the 1967 film, Casino Royale, a James Bond satire based on Ian Fleming's first Bond novel of the same name...
- Best Actress: Glynis McNicol
- Best Script: Little Big Man Takes a Shot at the Moon
- Best Television Entertainer: Hudson and HallsHudson and HallsPeter Hudson and David Halls were chefs whose cookery show, Hudson and Halls, ran on New Zealand television from 1976 to 1986 and also gained a cult following when the pair moved to produce their show in the United Kingdom in 1986...
- Stan Hosgood Award for Allied Craft: Logan Brewer, Set designer for Hunters Gold, Gather Your Dreams, Children of Fire MountainChildren of Fire MountainChildren of Fire Mountain was a 13 part miniseries from New Zealand made in 1979. In the UK it was screened by the BBC in 1980, and repeated on Channel 4 in 1989...
, I Pagliacci
- Best Drama: Mortimer's Patch
See: 1981 in New Zealand television, 1981 in television
1981 in television
The year 1981 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1981.For the American TV schedule, see: 1981-82 American network television schedule.- Events :...
, List of TVNZ television programming, :Category:New Zealand television, :Category:New Zealand television shows, Public broadcasting in New Zealand
Public broadcasting in New Zealand
For information on public broadcasting in New Zealand, see:* New Zealand On Air, funding body* Television in New Zealand** Television New Zealand** Māori Television* List of radio stations in New Zealand** Radio New Zealand...
Film
- Pictures
- Race for the Yankee ZephyrRace for the Yankee ZephyrRace for the Yankee Zephyr is a 1981 New Zealand supense-action-thriller film directed by David Hemmings and starring Ken Wahl, Lesley Ann Warren, George Peppard and Donald Pleasence.-Plot:...
- Smash PalaceSmash PalaceSmash Palace is a New Zealand feature film, released in 1981. It was directed by Roger Donaldson and starred Bruno Lawrence, Anna Jemison, Greer Robson and Keith Aberdein. The film has an R16 rating.-Critical review:...
- Wildcat
- Dead Kids / Strange Behaviour
See: :Category:1981 film awards, 1981 in film
1981 in film
-Events:*January 19 - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquires beleaguered concurrent United Artists. UA was humiliated by the astronomical losses on the $40,000,000 movie Heaven's Gate, a major factor in the decision of owner Transamerica to sell it....
, 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:1981 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
- Paul BallingerPaul BallingerPaul Ballinger is a retired long-distance runner from New Zealand, who won the 1982 edition of the Fukuoka Marathon, clocking 2:10:15 on 5 December 1982 setting the current national record. A year later he finished in 27th place at the inaugural 1983 World Championships...
wins his second national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:17:28 on 2 May in RotoruaRotoruaRotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. The city is the seat of the Rotorua District, a territorial authority encompassing the city and several other nearby towns...
, while Christine Munro claims her first title in the women's championship (2:56:04).
Chess
- The 88th New Zealand Chess ChampionshipNew Zealand Chess ChampionshipThe New Zealand Chess Championship was first conducted in 1879.Note: Up until 1934 foreign players were eligible for the title. The eligibility rules were changed in 1935 to preclude this; John Angus Erskine was born in Invercargill and was therefore eligible although he was domiciled in...
is held in Christchurch. There is a three-way tie between Ewen McGowen GreenEwen McGowen GreenEwen McGowen Green is a freelance chess teacher in Auckland, New Zealand.Green attained FIDE Master status in 1992. In 1979-80 he won the New Zealand Chess Championship along with Vernon A. Small and Ortvin Sarapu and has also been an Olympiad player .-References:...
, 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...
, and Vernon A. Small .
Cricket
- 1 February: AustralianAustralian cricket teamThe Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. It is the joint oldest team in Test cricket, having played in the first Test match in 1877...
Trevor ChappellTrevor ChappellTrevor Martin Chappell is a former Australian cricketer, a member of the South Australian Chappell family which excelled at cricket...
bowled an underarm deliveryUnderarm bowlingIn cricket, underarm bowling is as old as the sport itself. Until the introduction of the roundarm style in the first half of the 19th century, bowling was performed in the same way as in bowls, the ball being delivered with the hand below the waist...
to batsman Brian McKechnieBrian McKechnie (cricketer)-External links:*...
in a One-day International cricket match, the third of five matches in the final of the Benson & Hedges World Series CupWorld Series CupThe World Series Cup was the name of the One Day International cricket tournament that took place in Australia every season between Australia and two touring teams from 1979-80 to 1995-96. The tournament was renamed the World Series from 1990-1. This was the very first of the One Day International ...
.
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...
: Armalight - 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...
: Delightful Lady - 2nd win
Rugby Union
- 13 June: The All Blacks beat ScotlandScotland national rugby union teamThe Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
11-4 at Carisbrook - 20 June: The All Blacks beat Scotland 40-15 at Eden ParkEden ParkEden Park is the biggest stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is used primarily for rugby union in winter and cricket in summer . The ground also occasionally hostts rugby league matches. To accommodate all three sports, the cricket pitch is removable...
- 15 August: The All Blacks beat South AfricaSouth Africa national rugby union teamThe South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
14-9 at Lancaster Park as part of the 1981 Springbok Tour - 29 August: The All Blacks lost 12-24 to South Africa at Athletic ParkAthletic Park (Wellington)Athletic Park was a well-known ground used mostly for rugby matches in Wellington, New Zealand. The ground was also the inaugural home of New Zealand's principal knockout football tournament, the Chatham Cup ....
as part of the 1981 Springbok Tour - 12 September: The All Blacks beat South Africa 25-22 at Eden Park as part of the 1981 Springbok Tour
- 24 October: The All Blacks beat RomaniaRomania national rugby union teamThe Romania national rugby union team , nicknamed The Oaks , is the representative side of Romania in rugby union. Long considered one of the stronger European teams outside the Six Nations, they have participated in all six Rugby World Cups, and currently compete in the first division of the...
14-6 in BucharestBucharestBucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River.... - 14 November: The All Blacks beat FranceFrance national rugby union teamThe France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
13-9 in ToulouseToulouseToulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea... - 21 November: The All Blacks beat France 18-6 in ParisParisParis is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
- The North vs SouthNorth vs South rugby union matchThe North vs South match, sometimes known as the Interisland match was a longstanding rugby union fixture in New Zealand.The first game was played in 1897, and the match became an annual fixture from 1902...
match is played in Dunedin and won by North, 10-4
Soccer
- The All WhitesNew Zealand national soccer teamThe New Zealand national football team, nicknamed the All Whites, is the national association football team of New Zealand and is governed by New Zealand Football . The team plays in an all-white strip rather than the traditional New Zealand sporting black due to a former FIFA regulation that...
qualify for the 1982 Football World Cup - New Zealand National Soccer LeagueNew Zealand National Soccer LeagueThe National Soccer League is a name given to competitions in which New Zealand's top soccer clubs play each other, at least two times, on a home and away basis . At the completion of the competition, the best-performed team is declared as the New Zealand champion...
won by, Wellington Diamond United - The Chatham Cup1981 Chatham CupThe 1981 Chatham Cup was the 54th annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.Early stages of the competition were run in three regions , with the National League teams receiving a bye until the Fourth Round of the competition. In all, 124 teams took part in the competition...
is won by Dunedin CityDunedin CityDunedin City is a former New Zealand football club based in the South Island city of Dunedin. The team won the Chatham Cup in 1981, and was a member of the National League in 1977 and 1979-87, before withdrawing from the league for financial reasons...
who beat Mount Wellington 3—1 in the final.
Births
- 5 January: Corey FlynnCorey FlynnCorey Flynn is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays in the position of hooker. He was educated at Southland Boys' High School.-Provincial:He played provincial for Southland until he moved to Canterbury in 2003....
, rugby player. - 10 January: Hayden RoulstonHayden RoulstonHayden Roulston, MNZM is a New Zealand professional racing cyclist for UCI ProTour team . He won the silver medal in the men's 4000 m individual pursuit and a bronze medal in the men's 4000 m team pursuit at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.Roulston was a talented junior rider on both road and...
, professional cyclist. - 21 January: Jason Williams, rugby player.
- 27 January: Tony WoodcockTony Woodcock (rugby player)Tony Dale Woodcock is a New Zealand rugby union player. His position is loosehead prop, and he has played 83 tests for the national team, the All Blacks. He plays for North Harbour in the Air New Zealand Cup and for the Auckland Blues in the Super 14. He plays for North Harbour Marist in the North...
, rugby player. - 29 January: Jake Adams, musician.
- 12 February: Daniel BraidDaniel BraidDaniel Joshua Braid is a rugby union footballer who currently plays for the Super Rugby team the Blues...
, rugby player. - 6 March: Tim Brown, soccer player.
- 20 March: Jamaal Lolesi, rugby league player.
- 25 March: Mose Tuiali'iMose Tuiali'iMose Tuiali'i is a rugby union player who plays for Canterbury in the Air New Zealand Cup and for the Crusaders in the Super 14. He plays for Suburbs in the Christchurch premier competition. He has played for the All Blacks between 2004 and 2006 in which he has played 9 tests. His position is No 8...
, rugby player. - 27 March: Sione FaumuinaSione FaumuinaSione Faumuina is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays for the Redcliffe Dolphins.He joined the Castleford Tigers in the European Super League at the start of the 2009 season....
, rugby league player. - 30 April: Ali WilliamsAli WilliamsAlexander James "Ali" Williams is a New Zealand rugby union player at the position of lock. He represented Auckland and plays for the Blues in the Super 14, when he signed for the Tasman provincial side. In 2008, he played for the Crusaders in the Super 14 and in 2010 signed on loan for Nottingham...
, rugby player. - 4 May: Kate ElliottKate Elliott (actress)Kate Elliott is an actress.She was born in and currently lives in Auckland, New Zealand. She has acted in television series and films since she was about 14 as well as numerous advertisements on New Zealand television....
, actor. - 6 May: Jodi Te Huna, netball player.
- 10 May: Lloyd StephensonLloyd StephensonLloyd Stephenson is a field hockey player from New Zealand, who earned his first cap for the national team, nicknamed The Black Sticks, in April 2001. Originally from Thames Valley, the striker/midfielder was based in Perth for 2005, but played in New Zealand most recently for North Harbour...
, field hockey player. - 19 May: Jamie HowJamie HowJamie Michael How is a cricketer who plays Test match, One Day International and Twenty20 International cricket for New Zealand. He attended Palmerston North Boys' High School. In New Zealand domestic cricket, he plays for and captains Central Districts. How is a steady scoring, right-handed...
, cricketer. - 25 May: Shelley Paikea, singer.
- 25 May: Matt UtaiMatt UtaiMatthew Utai is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Wests Tigers in the NRL and has previously represented both New Zealand and Samoa. His usual position is on the wing.-Playing career:...
, rugby league player. - 25 May: Motu TonyMotu TonyIosefo Motu Tony is a Samoan-New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and previously played for Hull and Whitehaven...
, rugby league player. - 2 June: Brad MikaBrad MikaBradley Moni Mika is a New Zealander rugby union player. His position is lock. He was educated at St Peter's College....
, rugby player. - 9 June: Dean Couzins, field hockey player.
- 18 June: Teresa CormackTeresa CormackTeresa Maida Cormack was a six-year-old murder victim from Napier, New Zealand.- Teresa's death :Teresa lived in Napier, New Zealand, with her mother, Kelly Piggot, and her younger sister Sara...
, child murder victim. - 19 June: Moss BurmesterMoss BurmesterMoss James Burmester is a New Zealand swimmer. His specialist event is the 200m butterfly in which he holds the Commonwealth record of 1:54.35 set at the 2008 Summer Olympics...
, swimmer. - 28 June: Demetrius "Savage" SavelioSavage (rapper)- Studio albums :-Singles:-Featured singles:- External links :*****...
, rapper. - 3 July: Tevita LatuTevita LatuTevita Leo-Latu is a professional rugby league footballer for the Central Queensland Comets of the Queensland Cup. He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League...
, rugby league player. - 31 July: Paul WhatuiraPaul WhatuiraPaul Whatuira is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL...
, rugby league player. - 31 July: Scott Talbot-CameronScott Talbot-CameronScott Talbot-Cameron is a 2-time Olympic and National Record holding backstroke swimmer from New Zealand...
, swimmer. - 3 August: Daniel KoprivcicDaniel KoprivcicDaniel Koprivcic is a Croatian born footballer, currently playing for Auckland City FC in the New Zealand Football Championship...
, soccer player. - 6 September: Te Atirau Paki, television presenter.
- 22 September: James StosicJames StosicJames Stosic is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Easts Tigers in the QLD Cup.-Early years:...
, rugby player. - 27 September: Brendon McCullumBrendon McCullumBrendon Barrie McCullum is a New Zealand international cricketer, who plays for the Otago Volts at provincial level. He is a wicket-keeper, as well as an aggressive batsman who opens in One-day Internationals and is known for his fast scoring rate...
, cricketer. - 29 September (in Germany): Shane SmeltzShane SmeltzShane Edward Smeltz is a New Zealand professional association football player. He plays as a striker for Perth Glory FC.-Club career:...
, soccer player. - 29 October (in Sydney): Jamie Waugh, writer.
- 24 November: Ian Butler, cricketer.
- 10 December: Caleb RossCaleb RossCaleb Ross is a New Zealand film and television actor best known for his role as Lex in the cult science fiction television series The Tribe. In 1998, he played Logan Patterson on Shortland Street...
, actor. - 10 December: Conrad SmithConrad SmithConrad Gerard Smith is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He is a midfield back and plays outside centre . He had been in many Taranaki age group teams. He moved to Wellington where he completed an LLB at Victoria University of Wellington...
, rugby player. - 20 December: Leo BertosLeo BertosLeonida Christos "Leo" Bertos is a New Zealand association football player who plays as an attacking midfielder or right winger for New Zealand-based A-League team Wellington Phoenix and has represented the New Zealand national football team.-Early life:Bertos was born in Wellington, to a Greek...
, soccer player.
Deaths
- 23 March: Beatrice TinsleyBeatrice TinsleyBeatrice Muriel Hill Tinsley was a New Zealand astronomer and cosmologist whose research made fundamental contributions to the astronomical understanding of how galaxies evolve with time.-Life:...
, astronomer. - 21 December: Iriaka Matiu RatanaIriaka Matiu RatanaIriaka Matiu Rātana, OBE was a New Zealand politician and Rātana morehu who won the Western Maori electorate for Labour in 1949. She succeeded her husband Matiu Rātana to become the first woman to represent Maori in the New Zealand parliament...
, politician.
- J. A. W. BennettJ. A. W. BennettJack Arthur Walter Bennett was a New Zealand-born literary scholar. He was best known as a scholar of Middle English literature. He was editor of the journal Medium Aevum from 1956 to 1980, having earlier assisted his predecessor, C. T. Onions, and was a colleague of C. S. Lewis at Magdalen...
, literary scholar. - Keith MurrayKeith Murray (ceramic artist)Keith Day Pearce Murray was a New Zealand born architect and designer who worked as a ceramics, glass and metalware designer for Wedgwood in the Potteries area of Staffordshire in the 1930s and 1940s. He is considered one of the most influential designers of the Art deco style.Murray was born in...
, architect and ceramic designer.
See also
- List of years in New Zealand
- Timeline of New Zealand historyTimeline of New Zealand historyThis is a timeline of the history of New Zealand and only includes events deemed to be of principal importance - for more detailed information click the year heading or refer to List of years in New Zealand.- Prehistory :...
- History of New ZealandHistory of New ZealandThe history of New Zealand dates back at least 700 years to when it was discovered and settled by Polynesians, who developed a distinct Māori culture centred on kinship links and land. The first European explorer to discover New Zealand was Abel Janszoon Tasman on 13 December 1642...
- Military history of New ZealandMilitary history of New ZealandThe military history of New Zealand is an aspect of the history of New Zealand that spans several hundred years. When first settled by Māori almost a millennium ago, there was much land and resources, but war began to break out as the country's carrying capacity was approached...
- Timeline of environmental history of New ZealandTimeline of environmental history of New ZealandThis is a timeline of environmental history of New Zealand. These events relate to the more notable events affecting the natural environment of New Zealand as a result of human activity.-Pre 1800s:...
- Timeline of New Zealand's links with AntarcticaTimeline of New Zealand's links with AntarcticaThis is a timeline of the history of New Zealand's involvement with Antarctica.-Eighteenth and nineteenth centuries:1773*17 January Captain James Cook and the crews of his expedition's ships, Resolution and Adventure, become the first explorers to cross the Antarctic Circle1770s – 1830s*Sealers and...
For world events and topics in 1981 not specifically related to New Zealand see: 1981