The following lists events that happened during 1947 in New Zealand.

Population

* Estimated population as of 31 December: 1,817,500. * Increase since 31 December 1946: 36,300 (2.04%). * Males per 100 females: 100.3.

Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

Head of State A head of state (or chief of state) is the public persona who officially embodies a state Foakes, pp. 110–11 " he head of statebeing an embodiment of the State itself or representatitve of its international persona." in its unity and l ...

–

George VI George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor of I ...

* Governor-General – Lieutenant-General The Lord Freyberg VC

GCMG The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George IV, Prince of Wales, while he was acting as prince regent for his father, King George III. It is named in honour ...

KCB KBE DSO

Government

The 28th New Zealand Parliament continued, with the Labour Party in government. *

Speaker of the House The speaker of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body, is its presiding officer, or the chair. The title was first used in 1377 in England. Usage The title was first recorded in 1377 to describe the role of Thomas de Hungerf ...

–

Robert McKeen Robert McKeen (12 July 1884 – 5 August 1974) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. He was Speaker of the House of Representatives. Early life He was born in 1884 in Edinburgh and received his education in West Calder, West Loth ...

(Labour) *

Prime Minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister i ...

–

Peter Fraser Peter Fraser (; 28 August 1884 – 12 December 1950) was a New Zealand politician who served as the 24th prime minister of New Zealand from 27 March 1940 until 13 December 1949. Considered a major figure in the history of the New Zealand La ...

Minister of Finance A finance minister is an executive or cabinet position in charge of one or more of government finances, economic policy and financial regulation. A finance minister's portfolio has a large variety of names around the world, such as "treasury", " ...

–

Walter Nash Sir Walter Nash (12 February 1882 – 4 June 1968) was a New Zealand politician who served as the 27th prime minister of New Zealand in the Second Labour Government from 1957 to 1960. He is noted for his long period of political service, havin ...

Minister of Foreign Affairs A foreign affairs minister or minister of foreign affairs (less commonly minister for foreign affairs) is generally a cabinet minister in charge of a state's foreign policy and relations. The formal title of the top official varies between co ...

–

Attorney-General In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have exec ...

–

Rex Mason Henry Greathead Rex Mason (3 June 1885 – 2 April 1975) was a New Zealand politician. He served as Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, and Minister of Native Affairs, and had a significant influence on the directio ...

* Chief Justice – Sir

Humphrey O'Leary Sir Humphrey Francis O'Leary (12 February 1886 – 16 October 1953) was the seventh Chief Justice of New Zealand, from 1946 to 1953. Early life and family Born in Redwoodtown in the Wairau Valley, Marlborough, in 1886, his father, an Irish i ...

Parliamentary opposition

* Leader of the Opposition – Sidney Holland ( National Party).

Main centre leaders

Mayor of Auckland The Mayor of Auckland is the directly elected head of the Auckland Council, the local government authority for the Auckland Region in New Zealand, which it controls as a unitary authority. The position exists since October 2010 after the amal ...

–

John Allum Sir John Andrew Charles Allum (27 January 1889 – 16 September 1972) was a New Zealand businessman and engineer, and was Mayor of Auckland City from 1941 to 1953. Biography Early life and career Allum was born in London and educated at Goldsm ...

* Mayor of Hamilton –

Harold Caro Harold David Caro (1 September 1887 – 10 June 1964) was the 23rd mayor of Hamilton, New Zealand and a Hamilton businessman. He was awarded the OBE in 1950. Biography He was born in Christchurch to Mrs Lewis Caro the eighth of ten children. H ...

Mayor of Wellington The Mayor of Wellington is the head of the municipal government of the City of Wellington. The mayor presides over the Wellington City Council. The mayor is directly elected using the Single Transferable Vote method of proportional representat ...

–

Will Appleton Sir William Appleton (3 September 1889 – 22 October 1958) was a New Zealand local body politician, advertising agent and leading company director. He was Mayor of Wellington for two terms from 1944 to 1950 after serving as a city councillor fr ...

Mayor of Christchurch The 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. The current mayor, Ph ...

–

Ernest Andrews Sir Ernest Herbert Andrews (25 June 1873 – 9 November 1961) was a New Zealand teacher, printer and cricketer and local-body politician. He was on the Christchurch City Council from 1919 and Mayor of Christchurch from 1941 until his retirement ...

Mayor of Dunedin The Mayor of Dunedin is the head of the local government, the city council of Dunedin, New Zealand. The Mayor's role is "to provide leadership to the other elected members of the territorial authority, be a leader in the community and perform c ...

–

Donald Cameron Donald Cameron may refer to: Scottish Clan Cameron * Donald Cameron of Lochiel (c. 1695 or 1700–1748), 19th Chief, and his descendants: ** Donald Cameron, 22nd Lochiel (1769–1832), 22nd Chief ** Donald Cameron of Lochiel (1835–1905), Scott ...

Events

* 19 January –The TSMV , completing her first trans-tasman crossing since World War II, runs aground on

Barrett Reef The cluster of rocks that is Barrett Reef (often known as ''Barrett's Reef'') is one of the most hazardous reefs in New Zealand. It lies on the western side of the entrance of Wellington Harbour, on the approaches to the city of Wellington, at c ...

at the entrance to Wellington Harbour. All 400 passengers are safely evacuated. The ship is refloated on 6 February but is out of service for a further 22 months. * 6 February – First annual

Waitangi Day Waitangi Day ( mi, Te Rā o Waitangi), the national day of New Zealand, marks the anniversary of the initial signing – on 6 February 1840 – of the Treaty of Waitangi, which is regarded as the founding document of the nation. The first Wai ...

ceremony held by

New Zealand Navy The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN; mi, Te Taua Moana o Aotearoa, , Sea Warriors of New Zealand) is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force. The fleet currently consists of nine ships. The Navy had its origins in the Naval Defence Act ...

in grounds of

Treaty house The Treaty House ( mi, Whare Tiriti) at Waitangi in Northland, New Zealand, is the former house of the British Resident in New Zealand, James Busby. The Treaty of Waitangi, the document that established the British Colony of New Zealand, was ...

, Waitangi. * 6 March – The

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) is a symphony orchestra based in Wellington, New Zealand. The national orchestra of New Zealand, the NZSO is an autonomous Crown entity owned by the Government of New Zealand, per the New Zealand Symph ...

performs for the first time * 1–29 April – A series of non-violent mutinies occur aboard ships and bases of the

Royal New Zealand Navy The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN; mi, Te Taua Moana o Aotearoa, , Sea Warriors of New Zealand) is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force. The fleet currently consists of nine ships. The Navy had its origins in the Naval Defence Act ...

*4 April –

Horahora Power Station Horahora Power Station was an early hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River in New Zealand. It was the country’s first large-scale power station, completed in 1913. Initially built to service a gold mine, the power station was expande ...

is decommissioned as the filling of

Lake Karapiro Lake Karapiro () is an artificial reservoir lake on the Waikato River at Karapiro, south-east of Cambridge in New Zealand's North Island. The lake was formed in 1947 by the damming of the Waikato River to store water for the 96-megawatt Karapir ...

floods the station. *21 April – The first generator at Karapiro Power Station is commissioned. * 18 November – 41 people die in a fire in the Ballantyne's department store in Christchurch. * 1 December – Clothing

rationing Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, services, or an artificial restriction of demand. Rationing controls the size of the ration, which is one's allowed portion of the resources being distributed on a particular ...

, introduced in May 1942, is abolished.

Arts and literature

See 1947 in art,

1947 in literature This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 1947. Events *January – The English actor-manager Geoffrey Kendal arrives in British India with his touring repertory theatre company "Shakespeareana." It will per ...

Music

See:

1947 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1947. Specific locations * 1947 in British music * 1947 in Norwegian music Specific genres * 1947 in country music * 1947 in jazz Events *June 11 – 15 – First Llangol ...

Radio

See:

Public broadcasting in New Zealand Public broadcasting in New Zealand is funded through New Zealand Government body New Zealand On Air, and consists of a number of television channels, radio stations, and websites. In addition to funding solely public media outlets, New Zealand On ...

Film

See: :1947 film awards, 1947 in film,

List of New Zealand feature films This is a list of feature films and pre 1910 short films produced or filmed in New Zealand, ordered by year of release. Key * * = Funded in part by the New Zealand Film Commission. * † = Year given is date of principal photography rather th ...

Cinema of New Zealand Cinema may refer to: Film * Cinematography, the art of motion-picture photography * Film or movie, a series of still images that create the illusion of a moving image ** Film industry, the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking ...

, :1947 films

Sport

Archery

National Champions (Postal Shoot) *Open Men – W. Burton ( Gisborne) *Open Women – G. Norris (

Dunedin Dunedin ( ; mi, Ōtepoti) is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand (after Christchurch), and the principal city of the Otago region. Its name comes from , the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Th ...

)

Athletics

* George Bromley wins his first national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:58:54 in

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about ...

Basketball

The first interprovincial championship for women is held.Todd, S. (1976) ''Sporting Records of New Zealand.'' Auckland: Moa Publications.

Interprovincial champions

*Men – Auckland *Women – Wellington

Chess

* The 54th National Chess Championship was held in Palmerston North, and was won by T. Lepviikman of Wellington (his 2nd win).

Cricket

Horse racing

Harness racing

New Zealand Trotting Cup The New Zealand Cup for standardbred horses, also known as either the New Zealand Trotting Cup or the New Zealand Pacing Cup is a Group One (G1) harness race held annually by the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington Raceway in Chri ...

–

Highland Fling The Highland Fling is a Solo dance, solo Scottish highland dance, Highland dance that gained popularity in the early 19th century. The word 'Fling' means literally a movement in dancing. In John Jamieson's 1808 ''Etymological Dictionary of the Sc ...

Auckland Trotting Cup The Auckland Pacing Cup which is sometimes referred to as the Auckland Trotting Cup or merely the Auckland Cup is a race held at Alexandra Park in Auckland, New Zealand for Standardbred horses. It is one of the two major harness races, along with ...

– Single Direct

Lawn bowls

The national outdoor lawn bowls championships are held in Wellington. * Men's singles champion – S. Vella (Onehunga Bowling Club) * Men's pair champions – W.R. Hawkins, Phil Exelby (skip) (Frankton Bowling Club) * Men's fours champions – E.H. Crowley, E. Crowley, V.F. Hurlstone, G.A. Crowley (skip) (Tolaga Bay Bowling Club)

Rugby

Rugby league

New Zealand national rugby league team The New Zealand national rugby league team ( Māori: Tīma rīki motu Aotearoa) has represented New Zealand in rugby league since 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of ...

beat Wales 28-20

Soccer

* A South African team visited New Zealand and played four internationals: ** 28 June, Christchurch: NZ 5–6 South Africa ** 5 July, Dunedin: NZ 0–6 South Africa ** 12 July, Wellington: NZ 3–8 South Africa ** 19 July, Auckland: NZ 1–4 South Africa * The

Chatham Cup The Chatham Cup is New Zealand's premier Single-elimination tournament, knockout tournament in men's association football. It is held annually, with the final contested in September. The current champions of the Chatham Cup are 2022 winners Auck ...

is won by Waterside of Wellington who beat Technical Old Boys of Christchurch 2–1 in the final. * Provincial league champions: ** Auckland:

North Shore United North Shore United Association Football Club is an amateur football club based in the North Shore, Auckland. They compete in the Northern League, where they last won the competition in 2019. Their home ground is Allen Hill Stadium, which is l ...

** Canterbury:

Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

** Hawke's Bay: Napier HSOB ** Nelson:

Nelson United Nelson United was a New Zealand soccer club, based in the South Island city of Nelson. Their home ground was Guppy Park. The team was founded in 1968 through the amalgamation of Nelson Thistle (founded 1924) and Nelson Rangers (founded 1950 ...

** Otago:

Mosgiel AFC Mosgiel AFC is a semi-professional association football club in Mosgiel, New Zealand. They currently compete in the ODT FootballSouth Premier League. Club history The club was formed in 1913 and is based at Memorial Park. The club provides tea ...

** South Canterbury: Northern Hearts ** Southland: Invercargill Thistle ** Taranaki: Albion ** Waikato:

Claudelands Rovers Claudelands Rovers is a semi professional football club in New Zealand. It is based in the Hamilton suburb of Hamilton East. Claudelands Rovers Premier Men's Team plays in Division Two of the Lotto Northern League. The club also fields an U ...

** Wanganui: Technical College Old Boys ** Wellington:

Wellington Marist Wellington Marist AFC is an association football club in Wellington, New Zealand. The team is based at Kilbirnie Park in Kilbirnie. History Marist A.F.C. is one of the oldest football clubs in Wellington, having won the Chatham Cup in 1932 an ...

Births

* 8 January: Luke Williams, wrestler * 16 January:

Gavan Herlihy Gavan Herlihy (born 16 January 1947) is a New Zealand former politician. He was educated at St. Kevin's College and University of Canterbury. He was a member of Parliament for the National Party from 1996 to 2002. Before entering politics, He ...

, politician. * 19 February:

Tim Shadbolt Sir Timothy Richard Shadbolt (born 19 February 1947) is a New Zealand politician. He was the Mayor of Invercargill and previously Mayor of Waitemata City. Early life Shadbolt was born in the Auckland suburb of Remuera in 1947. His father died ...

, politician. * 9 March **

Keri Hulme Keri Ann Ruhi Hulme (9 March 194727 December 2021) was a New Zealand novelist, poet and short-story writer. She also wrote under the pen name Kai Tainui. Her novel '' The Bone People'' won the Booker Prize in 1985; she was the first New Zealan ...

, writer. (died 2021) ** John Lister, golfer. * 6 May: Alan Dale, actor. * 6 May (in United Kingdom):

Carl Doy Carl William Doy (born 1947) is a British-born New Zealand pianist, composer and arranger. One of New Zealand's most successful musicians, Doy is probably best known for his multi-platinum selling ''Piano By Candlelight'' albums. Life and caree ...

, musician and composer. * 6 May: Andrew Roberts, cricketer. * 20 May:

Margaret Wilson Margaret Anne Wilson (born 20 May 1947) is a New Zealand lawyer, academic and former Labour Party politician. She served as Attorney-General from 1999 to 2005 and Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2005 to 2008, during the Fifth L ...

, politician. * 27 May:

Glenn Turner Glenn Maitland Turner (born 26 May 1947) played cricket for New Zealand and was one of the country's best and most prolific batsmen. He is the current head of the New Zealand Cricket selection panel. Early life Glenn Turner was born in Dun ...

, cricketer. * 1 June:

Gaylene Preston Dame Gaylene Mary Preston (born 1 June 1947) is a New Zealand filmmaker with a particular interest in documentary films. Early life and family Born in Greymouth on 1 June 1947, Preston was educated at Colenso High School (now William Colenso Co ...

, filmmaker * 6 June: Patrick Power, tenor. * 22 June: Murray Webb, cricketer and caricature artist. * 27 August: John Morrison, cricketer. * 2 September: Jim Richards, motor racing driver. * 13 September:

Annette King Dame Annette Faye King (née Robinson, born 13 September 1947) is a former New Zealand politician. She served as Deputy Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party and Deputy Leader of the Opposition from 2008 to 2011, and from 2014 until 1 March 20 ...

, politician. * 14 September:

Sam Neill Sir Nigel John Dermot "Sam" Neill (born 14 September 1947) is a New Zealand actor. Neill's near-50 year career has included leading roles in both dramas and blockbusters. Considered an "international leading man", he has been regarded as one o ...

, actor * 22 September: David Trist, cricket player and coach. * 11 December (in United Kingdom): David McGee, lawyer and public servant * 18 December:

Marian Hobbs Marian Leslie Hobbs (born 18 December 1947) is a New Zealand politician who was a Labour Member of Parliament from 1996 to 2008. She was initially a list MP and then (from 1999) represented the electorate. She served as Minister for the Envir ...

, politician. :* Bill Hammond, painter. :*

Michael Wintringham Michael Charles Wintringham (born 1947) is a New Zealand public servant. He served as State Services Commissioner, head of New Zealand's public service, from 1997 to 2004. Wintringham was born in Blenheim, went to St John's College, Hasting ...

, public servant. :1947 births

Deaths

* 17 January: Kahupake Rongonui, tribal leader. * 10 February:

Winter Hall Winter Hall (21 June 1872 – 10 February 1947) was a New Zealand actor of the silent era who later appeared in sound films. He performed in more than 120 films between 1916 and 1938. Prior to that, he had a career as a stage actor in Austr ...

, silent movie actor. * 11 March: Duncan McGregor, rugby player. * 24 April: Patrick O'Regan, lawyer, politician and judge. * 13 May:

Frances Hodgkins Frances Mary Hodgkins (28 April 1869 – 13 May 1947) was a New Zealand painter chiefly of landscape and still life, and for a short period was a designer of textiles. She was born and raised in New Zealand, but spent most of her working ...

, painter. * 17 May: George Forbes, 22nd Prime minister of New Zealand. * 30 June:

Robert Frederick Way Robert Frederick Way (1872 – 30 June 1947) was a New Zealand politician and trade unionist. He was an organiser and candidate for the New Zealand Socialist Party, Socialist Party, Social Democratic Party (New Zealand), Social Democratic Party ...

, trade unionist and activist. * 21 July: Agnes Fabish, domestic servant, farmer and homemaker. * 4 December: Margaret Butler, sculptor and artist. * 6 December: Robert Wright, mayor of Wellington and politician.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:1947 in New Zealand Years of the 20th century in New Zealand