1961 in New Zealand


The following lists events that happened during 1961 in New Zealand.

Population

  • Estimated population as of 31 December: 2,461,300.
  • Increase since 31 December 1960: 57,700.
  • Males per 100 females: 101.2.

Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

Government

Parliamentary opposition

Main centre leaders

Events

January

April

  • 23 April – Emergency number 111 is introduced in Wellington.

June

July

  • 1 July – Television begin transmission in Wellington.

October

Arts and literature

See 1961 in art, 1961 in literature

Music

See: 1961 in music

Radio and television

  • Auckland television is extended to seven nights a week, two and a half hours a night. On 4 April, Auckland television went commercial.
  • Television transmission began in Christchurch on 1 June. Wellington followed four weeks later, on 1 July.
See: 1961 in New Zealand television, 1961 in television, List of TVNZ television programming, Public broadcasting in New Zealand & :Category:Television in New Zealand.

Film

See: :Category:1961 film awards, 1961 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, :Category:1961 films

Sport

Athletics

Chess

  • The 68th National Chess Championship was held in Auckland, and was won by Ortvin Sarapu of Auckland.

Cricket

  • New Zealand tours South Africa and drew the 5-Test series 2-2:
  • * 8–12 December 1961, Durban: 1st Test. SA won by 30 runs
  • * 26–29 December 1961, Johannesburg: 2nd Test Drawn
  • * 1–4 January 1962, Cape Town: 3rd Test. NZ won by 72 runs
  • * 2–5 February 1962, Johannesburg: 4th test. SA won by innings & 51 runs
  • * 16–20 February 1962, Port Elizabeth: 5th Test: NZ won by 40 runs

Horse racing

Harness racing

Lawn bowls

The national outdoor lawn bowls championships are held in Auckland.
  • Men's singles champion – J.H. Rabone
  • Men's pair champions – N. Posa, M. Vulinovich
  • Men's fours champions – J. Hammersley, L.N. Harris, R.S. Eves, M.J. Squire

Rugby union

Soccer

Births

:Category:1961 births

Deaths