1966 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1966 in New Zealand.

Population

The 34th Parliament of New Zealand concluded and a general election was held on 26 November. The National Party was returned with a majority of eight seats, having lost one seat to the Social Credit Party who entered parliament for the first time.

1 January – New Zealand Australia Free Trade Agreement comes into force.
4 July – An Air New Zealand Douglas DC-8 on a training flight crashes on takeoff from Auckland Airport, killing two of the five crew members.
19–20 October – President of the United States of America Lyndon B. Johnson visits New Zealand, becoming the first serving US president to visit the country.
November – The Grey River Argus ceases publication. The newspaper had been founded in 1865.
New Zealand appoints an ambassador to Italy and establishes an embassy in Rome.

Loxene Golden Disc Maria Dallas – Tumbling Down
See: 1966 in music

Broadcast relay station at Hikurangi, Horokaka, Parahaki Hill and Mount Egmont are commissioned, extending television coverage to central Northland and Taranaki.
The program Country Calendar first appears on television.
The C'mon music program, hosted by Peter Sinclair, begins.
First broadcast of Radio Hauraki from a boat called the TIRI in the Hauraki Gulf outside of New Zealand waters in an attempt to break the Government Monopoly on the New Zealand radio airwaves.

David McKenzie wins his first national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:16:59 on 12 March in Hamilton, New Zealand.

			Total
8	5	13	26

The 73rd National Chess Championship was held in Hamilton, and was won by Ortvin Sarapu of Auckland.

The Chatham Cup is won by Miramar Rangers who beat Western 1–0 in the final.Northern League champions: Eastern Suburbs AFC. Teams from Bay of Plenty join the league in its second year.
The Western League is formed, incorporating Wanganui Athletic, Wanganui United from Wanganui, Kiwi United, Massey University, St. Andrew's and Thistle from Manawatu, Napier Rovers from Hawke's Bay and Moturoa from Taranaki. The first champion is Kiwi United of Palmerston North.Provincial league champions:
* Buller: no competition
* Canterbury: Christchurch City
* Marlborough: Grosvenor Rovers
* Nelson: Rangers
* Otago: Northern AFC
* Poverty Bay: Eastern Union
* South Canterbury: West End
* Southland: Invercargill Thistle
* Wairarapa: Masterton Athletic
* Wanganui: Western Suburbs
* Wellington: Miramar Rangers
* West Coast: Grey United

:Category:1966 births