1989 in New Zealand

Population

• Estimated population as of 31 December: 3,369,800.
• Increase since 31 December 1988: 24,600.
• Males per 100 Females: 97.1.

Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

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

Government

• 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, Sir Thomas Eichelbaum

Parliamentary opposition

• Leader of the Opposition – Jim Bolger.

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 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 passed.
• The Sale of Liquor Act passed; it provided for supermarkets to sell wine. Two amendments were also passed in 1989.
• 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.
• 9–12 April – British Airways Concorde G-BOAF visits Christchurch Airport on a world tour.
• 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.
• 1 May – Jim Anderton forms the NewLabour Party.
• 1 July – GST is increased from 10% to 12.5%.
• 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.
• 10 December – Sunday trading begins.

Arts and literature

• Renee wins the Robert Burns Fellowship.

Music

New Zealand Music Awards

• 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
• *Warrick Attewell – St Peter's Rendezvous
• *Tony Johns – She's A Mod/ Mod RAP
• 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
• 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
• *Gavin Blake – Workshop
• *Anthony Donaldson/ Cadre Communications- The Hills Are Alive

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 television appearance.
• 1 July: The Broadcasting Act 1989 removes restriction of broadcasting. The public broadcasting fee of NZ$110 per annum is established. Commercial television extends to seven days a week.
• 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.

Film

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.

Deaflympics

• The XVI World Games for the Deaf were held in Christchurch from 7 to 17 January.

Horse racing

Harness racing

• New Zealand Trotting Cup: Inky Lord
• Auckland Trotting Cup: Neroship

Shooting

• Ballinger Belt – Ken Meade

Soccer

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

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
• 21 January – Tiny Leys, rugby union player
• 22 January – Fred Ladd, aviator
• 29 January – Seton Otway, racehorse owner and breeder
• 2 February
• * Harry Highet, engineer, designer of the P-class yacht
• * Sir Arnold Nordmeyer, politician
• 9 February – Bill Dalley, rugby union player and administrator
• 13 February – Archie Strang. rugby union player
• 15 February – Hōri Ngata, lexicographer, local-body politician
• 20 February – Stuart Black, athlete
• 24 February – Leila Hurle, educator, school inspector
• 4 March
• * Harold Miller, librarian, historian
• * Randolph Rose, athlete
• 7 March – Nevile Lodge, cartoonist
• 8 March – Alf Budd, rugby union player

April–June

• 2 April – Sir James Henare, soldier, Ngāpuhi leader
• 6 April – Marjorie Chambers, nurse, nursing tutor and administrator
• 13 April – Frank Hofmann, photographer, musician
• 22 April
• * Mary Campbell, librarian, Quaker
• * Vi Farrell, cricketer
• 23 April – Rupert Worker, cricketer
• 30 April – Nelson Dalzell, rugby union player
• 2 May – Freddie French, rugby league player
• 5 May – Dame Sister Mary Leo, music teacher
• 13 May – Sir Lance Cross, basketball player, sports administrator and broadcaster
• 4 June – Vernon Cracknell, politician
• 12 June – Cath Vautier, netball player, coach and administrator
• 26 June – Earle Riddiford, lawyer and mountaineer

July–September

• 1 July
• * Eric Holland, politician
• * Olga Sansom, botanist, broadcaster, museum director
• 15 July – Jack Scholes, sailor
• 14 August – Sir Dove-Myer Robinson, politician, mayor of Auckland
• 28 August – Sir Robert Macintosh, anaesthetist
• 1 September – Mac Cooper, agricultural scientist
• 4 September – Sir Ronald Syme, historian
• 11 September
• * Roy Traill, wildlife ranger
• * Freddie Wood, historian
• 14 September – Eddie McLeod, cricketer
• 15 September – Harry Cave, cricketer
• 18 September – Sir Peter Phipps, military leader

October–December

• 1 October – David Penman, Anglican archbishop
• 2 October – Bert Grenside, rugby union player
• 7 October
• * Keith Elliott, soldier, recipient of the Victoria Cross
• * Pat Twohill, actor and radio announcer
• 11 October – Joe Procter, rugby union player
• 14 October – Rodney Kennedy, artist, art critic, pacifist
• 23 October – Howard Alloo, cricketer
• 24 October – Eileen Soper, journalist, writer, Girl Guide commissioner
• 26 October – Andrew Roberts, cricketer
• 18 November – Pat Hond, police officer, teacher, Taranaki Māori leader
• 25 November – Kōhine Pōnika, composer of waiata Māori
• 28 November
• * Beethoven Algar, rugby union player
• * Stan Cawtheray, association footballer
• 30 November – Wiremu Heke, rugby union player
• 2 December – Norman Davis, English language and literature academic
• 8 December – Jack Rankin, rugby union player and coach
• 9 December – Brett Austin, swimmer
• 13 December – Peter de la Mare, physical organic chemist
• 27 December – Ron Ulmer, track cyclist