1989 in New Zealand explained

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%).
• 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^[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.
• 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.^[11]
• 10 December – Sunday trading begins.

Arts and literature

• Renee wins the Robert Burns Fellowship.

See 1989 in art, 1989 in literature,

Music

New Zealand Music Awards

See also: New Zealand Music Awards. Winners are shown first with nominees underneath.^[12]

• 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 Moa Hunters – 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,, TV3 (New Zealand),, Public broadcasting in New Zealand

Film

See:, 1989 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand,

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.^[13]

Horse racing

Harness racing

• New Zealand Trotting Cup: Inky Lord^[14]
• Auckland Trotting Cup: Neroship^[15]

Shooting

• Ballinger Belt – Ken Meade (Petone)^[16]

Soccer

• The Chatham Cup is won by Christchurch United who beat Rotorua City 7–1 in the final.^[17]

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

External links

• NZ Internet History

Notes and References

1. Web site: Historical population estimates tables . https://web.archive.org/web/20171231000952/http://archive.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/estimates_and_projections/historical-population-tables.aspx . 31 December 2017 . Statistics New Zealand.
2. Statistics New Zealand: New Zealand Official Yearbook, 1990. ISSN 0078-0170 page 52
3. Web site: Elections NZ – Leaders of the Opposition. 6 April 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081017200326/http://www1.elections.org.nz/democracy/leaders-opposition.html. 17 October 2008. dead. dmy-all.
4. Web site: Reserve Bank Act, 1989 . New Zealand Law online . 1989 .
5. Web site: Maori Fisheries Act, 1989 . New Zealand Law online . 1989 .
6. Web site: Sale of Liquor Act, 1989 . New Zealand Law online . 1989 .
7. Cheers to George Laking: 1912–2008 . Easton . Brian . . 23 February 2008 . 212 . 3537 . 24 February 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080227043154/http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3537/columnists/10556/civilised_drinking.html . 27 February 2008 . dead . dmy .
8. News: Friendships born out of tragedy. Garner. Theresa . The New Zealand Herald. 11 November 2009. 9 April 1999.
9. News: Wilson . Dave . 10 April 1989 . Thousands see Concorde land . 1 . .
10. Web site: June Litman's Literary Legacy . Puke Ariki . 2003 . Virginia . Winder . 31 May 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081013045242/http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/media/junelitman.htm . 13 October 2008 . dmy .
11. Web site: Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 1989. Parliamentary Counsel Office. 27 July 2022.
12. Web site: Awards 1989 . Listing . NZ Music Awards . 29 September 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130403024803/http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/1989-winners/ . 3 April 2013 .
13. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20120405141429/http://www.deaflympics.com/games/index.asp?GamesID=27 . 5 April 2012 . Christchurch 1989 . dead . . Deaflympics.com.
14. Web site: List of NZ Trotting cup winners . 6 May 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120222233106/http://www.hrnz.co.nz/data/major_races/nz_trotting_cup.htm . 22 February 2012 . dead . dmy-all .
15. http://www.hrnz.co.nz/data/major_races/major_race2.htm Auckland Trotting cup at hrnz.co.nz
16. Web site: New Zealand champion shot / Ballinger Belt winners . National Rifle Association of New Zealand . 11 October 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150125012900/http://www.nranz.com/competitions/ballinger_belt . 25 January 2015 .
17. http://www.nzsoccer.com/page/chatham_cup_records.html Chatham Cup records, nzsoccer.com