2002 In New Zealand
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The following lists events that happened during 2002 in New Zealand.


Population

* Estimated population as of 31 December: 3,989,500. * Increase since 31 December 2001: 73,400 (1.87%). * Males per 100 Females: 96.2.


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 ...
Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during ...
* Governor-General – The Hon Dame Silvia Cartwright PCNZM DBE QSO


Government

The 46th New Zealand Parliament continued until 10 June. Government was The Labour Party led by
Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark (born 26 February 1950) is a New Zealand politician who served as the 37th prime minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008, and was the administrator of the United Nations Development Programme from 2009 to 2017. She was ...
, In coalition with
Alliance An alliance is a relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out among them. Members of an alliance are called ...
, led by
Jim Anderton James Patrick Anderton (born Byrne; 21 January 1938 – 7 January 2018) was a New Zealand politician who led a succession of left-wing parties after leaving the Labour Party in 1989. Anderton's political career began when he was elected to th ...
. In the 2002 general election Labour was returned to power, in coalition with The Progressive Party led by
Jim Anderton James Patrick Anderton (born Byrne; 21 January 1938 – 7 January 2018) was a New Zealand politician who led a succession of left-wing parties after leaving the Labour Party in 1989. Anderton's political career began when he was elected to th ...
, and backed with supporting supply votes by
United Future United Future New Zealand, usually known as United Future, was a centrist political party in New Zealand. The party was in government between 2005 and 2017, first alongside Labour (2005–2008) and then supporting National (2008–2017). U ...
, led by
Peter Dunne Peter Francis Dunne (born 17 March 1954) is a retired New Zealand politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ōhāriu. He held the seat and its predecessors from 1984 to 2017—representing the Labour Party in Parliament from 1984 ...
. *
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 ...
Jonathan Hunt *
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 ...
Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark (born 26 February 1950) is a New Zealand politician who served as the 37th prime minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008, and was the administrator of the United Nations Development Programme from 2009 to 2017. She was ...
*
Deputy Prime Minister A deputy prime minister or vice prime minister is, in some countries, a government minister who can take the position of acting prime minister when the prime minister is temporarily absent. The position is often likened to that of a vice president ...
Jim Anderton James Patrick Anderton (born Byrne; 21 January 1938 – 7 January 2018) was a New Zealand politician who led a succession of left-wing parties after leaving the Labour Party in 1989. Anderton's political career began when he was elected to th ...
then Michael Cullen *
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", " ...
Michael Cullen *
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 ...
Phil Goff Philip Bruce Goff (born 22 June 1953) is a New Zealand politician. He was a member of the New Zealand Parliament from 1981 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 2016. He served as leader of the Labour Party and leader of the Opposition between 11 N ...
* Chief Justice
Sian Elias Dame Sian Seerpoohi Elias (born 13 March 1949) is a New Zealand former Government official, who served as the 12th Chief Justice of New Zealand, and was therefore the most senior member of the country's judiciary. She was the presiding judge o ...


Opposition leaders

See: :Parliament of New Zealand, :New Zealand elections *
National National may refer to: Common uses * Nation or country ** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen Places in the United States * National, Maryland, c ...
Don Brash Donald Thomas Brash (born 24 September 1940) is a former New Zealand politician who was Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the New Zealand National Party from October 2003 to November 2006, and the Leader of ACT New Zealand from April to ...
( Leader of the Opposition) * Greens
Jeanette Fitzsimons Jeanette Mary Fitzsimons (née Gaston; 17 January 1945 – 5 March 2020) was a New Zealand politician and environmentalist. She was the co-leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand from 1995 to 2009, and was a Member of Parliament from ...
and
Rod Donald Rodney David Donald (10 October 1957 – 6 November 2005) was a New Zealand politician who co-led the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, along with Jeanette Fitzsimons. He lived in Christchurch with his partner Nicola Shirlaw, and their thre ...
* Act
Richard Prebble Richard William Prebble (born 7 February 1948) is a former member of the New Zealand Parliament. Initially a member of the Labour Party, he joined the newly formed ACT New Zealand party under Roger Douglas in 1996, becoming its leader from 19 ...
* New Zealand First
Winston Peters Winston Raymond Peters (born 11 April 1945) is a New Zealand politician serving as the leader of New Zealand First since its foundation in 1993. Peters served as the 13th deputy prime minister of New Zealand from 1996 to 1998 and 2017 to 2020, ...
*
United Future United Future New Zealand, usually known as United Future, was a centrist political party in New Zealand. The party was in government between 2005 and 2017, first alongside Labour (2005–2008) and then supporting National (2008–2017). U ...
Peter Dunne Peter Francis Dunne (born 17 March 1954) is a retired New Zealand politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ōhāriu. He held the seat and its predecessors from 1984 to 2017—representing the Labour Party in Parliament from 1984 ...


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 Banks John Banks or Bankes may refer to: Politics and law *Sir John Banks, 1st Baronet (1627–1699), English merchant and Member of Parliament * John Banks (American politician) (1793–1864), U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania *John Gray Banks (188 ...
* Mayor of Hamilton
David Braithwaite David Joseph Braithwaite (16 April 1937 – 18 March 2021) was a New Zealand politician. He was mayor of Hamilton from 2001 to 2004. Braithwaite was born in Hamilton on 16 April 1937. Both of his parents were prominent in civic life in Hamilt ...
*
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 ...
Kerry Prendergast Dame Kerry Leigh Prendergast (née Ferrier, born 28 March 1953) is a New Zealand politician who served as the 33rd Mayor of Wellington between 2001 and 2010, succeeding Mark Blumsky. She was the second woman to hold the position, after Fran W ...
*
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 ...
Garry Moore Garry Moore (born Thomas Garrison Morfit; January 31, 1915 – November 28, 1993) was an American entertainer, comedic personality, game show host, and humorist best known for his work in television. He began a long career with the CBS netwo ...
*
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 ...
Sukhi Turner Dame Sukhinder Kaur Gill Turner (born Sukhinder Kaur Gill, 13 April 1952), commonly known as Sukhi Turner, is an Indian-born-New Zealand politician who served as the Mayor of Dunedin, New Zealand, from 1995 until her retirement from the positio ...


Events

*January –
Kiwibank Kiwibank Limited is a New Zealand state-owned bank and financial services provider with approximately 4% of market share in terms of assets. Kiwibank is owned by the New Zealand Government and provides some of its banking services through i ...
is formed. * 6 February –
Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II The Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II was the international celebration held in 2002 marking the 50th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. It was intended by the Queen to be both a commemoration of her 50 years as ...
's accession as
Queen of New Zealand The monarchy of New Zealand is the constitutional system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of New Zealand. The current monarch, King Charles III, ascended the throne following the death of his mot ...
* 30 June: The population of
Canterbury Canterbury (, ) is a cathedral city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in the heart of the City of Canterbury local government district of Kent, England. It lies on the River Stour. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the primate of ...
reaches half a million. * 27 July: 2002 general election; Labour-led government returned for a second term. * 12 October: Two New Zealand tourists are killed in a series of terrorist bombings in Bali,
Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...
. * The Big Lemon & Paeroa bottle is moved to the Ohinemuri Reserve.


Arts and literature

* Alison Wong wins the
Robert Burns Fellowship The Robert Burns Fellowship is a New Zealand literary residency. Established in 1958 to coincide with bicentennial celebrations of the birth of Robert Burns, it is often claimed to be New Zealand's premier literary residency. The list of past ...
. *
Montana New Zealand Book Awards The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are literary awards presented annually in New Zealand. The awards began in 1996 as the merger of two literary awards events: the New Zealand Book Awards, which ran from 1976 to 1995, and the Goodman Fielder W ...
: **Montana Medal: Lynley Hood, ''A City Possessed: The Christchurch Civic Creche Case'' **Deutz Medal:
Craig Marriner Craig Marriner (born 1974) is a novelist from Rotorua, New Zealand. He is best known for his award-winning first novel ''Stonedogs'' (2001). Early life Marriner was born in Rotorua and had what he describes as a "strictly working-class backgrou ...
, ''Stonedogs'' **Reader's Choice: Lynley Hood, ''A City Possessed: The Christchurch Civic Creche Case'' **First Book Awards ***Fiction: Craig Marriner, ''Stonedogs'' ***Poetry: Chris Price, ''Husk'' ***Non-Fiction: Steve Braunias, ''Fool's Paradise'' See
2002 in art The year 2002 in art involves various significant events. Events *21 May – Extensions to the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace, London, designed by John Simpson, are opened. *3 July – Decapitation of a statue of Margaret Thatcher: a m ...
,
2002 in literature This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 2002. Events *March 16 – Authorities in Saudi Arabia arrest and jail the poet Abdul Mohsen Musalam and dismiss a newspaper editor following the publication of Mu ...
, :2002 books


Music


New Zealand Music Awards The Aotearoa Music Awards (previously called the New Zealand Music Awards), conferred annually by Recorded Music NZ, honour outstanding artistic and technical achievements in the recording industry. The awards are among the most significant that ...

Two new categories were introduced this year: 'Best R&B/ Hip Hop Album' and 'Best Electronica Album'. Winners are shown first with nominees underneath. * Album of the Year: ''
Che Fu Che Kuo Eruera Ness (born 1974), better known by his stage name Che Fu, is a New Zealand hip hop, R&B and reggae artist, songwriter and producer. A founding member of the band Supergroove, as a solo artist he has gone on to sell thousands of ...
The Navigator'' **Anika Moa – Thinking Room **Neil Finn – One Nil **Salmonella Dub – Inside The Dub Plates **the feelers – Communicate * Single of the Year: ''Che Fu – Fade Away'' **Aaria – Kei A Wai Ra Te Kupu **Anika Moa – Youthful **Nesian Mystik – Nesian Style **Salmonella Dub – Love Your Ways * Top Group: ''
Salmonella Dub Salmonella Dub is a dub/ drum n bass/reggae/ roots band from New Zealand. The band was formed in 1992 by Andrew Penman, Dave Deakins, and Mark Tyler. The band has toured extensively throughout New Zealand, Australia, and Europe, including the UK ...
– Inside The Dub Plates'' **the feelers – Communicate **Zed -Silencer * Top New Act: '' Goodshirt – Good'' **K'Lee – Broken Wings **Pluto – Red Light Syndrome * Top Male Vocalist: ''Che Fu – Navigator'' **Neil Finn – One Nil **Tiki Taane – Inside The Dubplates * Top Female Vocalist: ''
Anika Moa Anika Rose Moa (born 21 May 1980) is a New Zealand recording artist and television presenter. Her debut album '' Thinking Room'', was released in September 2001, which reached number one on the New Zealand Albums Chart and provided two T ...
– Thinking Room'' **Boh Runga – Magic Line **Hayley Westenra – Hayley Westenra * Best Folk Album: ''Bob Mcneill – Covenant'' **Beverley Young – The Tinkerman's Daughter **Jacky Tarr – Defenestration **Phil Garland – Swag O'Dreams * Best R&B/ Hip Hop Album (new category): ''Che Fu – Navigator'' **Dark Tower – Canterbury Drafts * Best Music Video: ''
Matthew Metcalfe Matthew Christian Metcalfe FRHistS FRGS (born 1 March 1973) is a New Zealand film producer and screenwriter known for his biographical and documentary films. Metcalfe has also produced comedies and drama films, as well as being involved in severa ...
/ Greg Rewai – Fade Away (Che Fu)'' **Garry Sullivan – Seed (Dimmer) **Ed Davis and Paul McLaney -Complicated (Gramsci) * Outstanding International Achievement: ''Salmonella Dub'' **Nathan Haines **Anika Moa * Best Mana Maori Album: ''Ruia And Ranea – Waiata of Bob Marley'' **Brannigan Kaa – Taputapu **T-Sistaz – Whakamanahia * Best Mana Reo Album: ''Rangiatea -Rangiatea Concert Party'' **Ruia and Ranea – Waiata of Bob Marley **Te Ati Kimihia – Te Ati Kimihia and The Children of Tane * Best Country Album: '' The Topp Twins – Grass Highway'' **Beau Redding – Dime Box **
Dennis Marsh Dennis Te Uhi Marsh (born 22 February 1951) is a New Zealand country music singer and television presenter, best known for his series of popular albums in the 2010s and for hosting the country music TV show ''My Country Song''. He is New Zeala ...
– ''Faded Love'' * Best Cast Recording/Compilation: '' Greg Johnson – The Best Yet'' **
Th' Dudes Th' Dudes are a New Zealand rock band that was formed in the late 1970s in Auckland, New Zealand. Hits include "Walking in Light", "Right First Time", " Be Mine Tonight" and "Bliss". History 1975–1980 The band was formed by Morris, Urlich, ...
– Where Are Th' Girls **Various – Live at Helen's * Best Producer: ''Tom Bailey & Stellar* – Magic Line (Stellar*)'' **Malcolm Welsford – Scorpio Writing (Garageland) **Paddy Free & Salmonella Dub – Inside The Dub Plates (Salmonella Dub) * Best Engineer: ''Dave Wernham, Tiki Taane And Paddy Free – 'Inside The Dub Plates' (Salmonella Dub)'' **Luke Tomes – Magic Line (Stellar*) **Simon Holloway – Broken Wings (K-Lee) * Best Electronica Album (new category): ''Sola Rosa – Solarized'' **Rhian Sheehan – Paradigm Shift **Shapeshifter – Real Time * Best Jazz Album: ''C L Bob – Stereoscope'' **Nathan Haines – Sound Travels **The Rodger Fox Big Band – Warriors * Best Gospel Album: ''The Lads – Marvel'' **Felt – Colour of the Sky **Parachute Band – Amazing * Best Children's Album: ''Fatcat & Fishface – Dog Breath'' **Kids Music Company Singers – On A High Note II **
Michelle Scullion Michelle Scullion (born 1957) is a New Zealand musician and composer. Several of her soundscapes are part of installations at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Biography Scullion grew up in Stokes Valley, on the outskirts of Wellington, ...
– Peaks To Plains * Best Classical Album: ''Jack Body – Pulse'' **New Zealand Symphony Orchestra – Landscapes **Gareth Farr – Warriors From Pluto * Best Songwriter: ''Anika Moa – Youthful'' **Che Fu – Fade Away **James Reid and Donald Reid – Communicate (The Feelers) * Best Cover Design: ''Kelvin Soh – Good (Goodshirt)'' **Che Fu and Kelvin Soh – Navigator (Che Fu) **Shayne Carter and Andrew B White – I Believe You Are A Star (Dimmer) * New Zealand Radio Programmer Award: ''Brad King – The Rock Network'' **Dallas Gurney – ZM Network **David Ridler – Channel Z **Marty Lindsay – Star FM Wanganui See:
2002 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002. Specific locations * 2002 in British music * 2002 in Norwegian music * 2002 in South Korean music Specific genres * 2002 in classical music * 2002 in country musi ...


Performing arts

* Benny Award presented by the
Variety Artists Club of New Zealand The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc (VAC) is a non-for-profit organisation and show business club. It was founded in 1966 and became an incorporated society in 1972. The VAC was formed to promote goodwill within the New Zealand enterta ...
to Tom Sharplin.


Dance

* 7–24 January: Inaugural Footnote Choreolab runs in Wellington under the direction of
Deirdre Tarrant Deirdre Elizabeth Anne Tarrant (born 1946) is a New Zealand dancer, dance teacher and choreographer. She was the founding director of Footnote Dance and is principal of the Tarrant Dance Studios. Tarrant was born in 1946, the daughter of Alfr ...
and guest choreographer Justin Rutzou (Australia) with New Zealand choreographers Kristian Larsen and Jacob Sullivan and 22 dancers from throughout New Zealand. * 30 January – 3 February, Jan Bolwell premieres her theatre work Standing On My Hands at BATS Theatre, Wellington, subsequently touring it throughout New Zealand over the course of the year. * 20–21 February
Footnote Dance Company
premiere
Banding Together 2002
a programme of short works by choreographers Michael Parmenter, Merenia Gray, Raewyn Hill, subsequently touring this programme throughout New Zealand. The dancers are: Annabel Reader, Tane Duncan, Melissa Tate, Georgina White, Tim Fletcher and Paora Taurima. * 15–17 March, Inland by Douglas Wright Dance Company, premieres at the NZ International Festival of the Arts who commissioned the work. Subsequently, the work tours to Dunedin, Christchurch and Auckland to considerable acclaim. * 19 April to 5 May, the Auckland Dance Festival (later rebranded as Tempo Dance Festival) runs throughout the month at a number of Auckland venues, presenting professional and community performances, classes, workshops, and public participatory events. Events include: Shake a Leg Youth Dance performances at ASB Theatre; Platform 2002 choreographic development project at UNITEC; Dancing City to City, ESCAPE by Black Grace Urban Youth Movement, Polished Up at St Kevins Arcade, Prayers in the Forest of Mirrors by Edna Katz-Levy at the Maidment Studio, Scratch 'n Sniff Dance Shorts, a mixed bill of dance films, short works and improvisational performances curated by Wilhimeena Gordon at Woonton's Lane in Titirangi, Sub-urban Legends by Atamira Dance Collective at UNITEC Studios, Living Room (short works by Melanie Turner, Becca Wood, Karen Barbour, Katie Burton, and film by Alyx Duncan) at UNITEC Studios, and Still Life 2002, a triple bill by Sean Curham (Speedy Horse and Royal Crown plus excerpts from the Perfect Lie) at the Dorothy Winston Centre. * 19–22 April, MEDANZ Festival in Christchurch * On 3 May, Creative New Zealand launches {https://web.archive.org/web/20140726175934/http://www.creativenz.govt.nz/en/news/creative-new-zealand-launches-contemporary-dance-strategy Moving to the Future: Ngä Whakanekeneke atu ki te Ao o Apöpö], a strategy for professional contemporary dance with specific funding support for emerging artists. * On 16 June, the Mandelbrot Set presents another in their bi-monthly series of improvisational performances at The Space in Newtown, in Wellington – dancers are Lyne Pringle, Kristian Larsen and Emily Kerr with local musicians. * The rising of Matariki is formally marked with performance installations in Auckland under the title Cluster. Soundscore and imagery by Karl Chitham, performance devised and facilitated by Louise Potiki Bryant and by Light/off-site Productions with performers Corinna Hunziker, Dolina Wehipeihana, Maaka Pepene, Justine Hohaia, Karl Chitham, and Cathy Livermore (from Atamira Dance Collective). * 28–29 June in Hamilton and 10–13 July in Auckland, the double bill Fracture: Reality is Fragile choreographed by Guy Ryan, and Weather Vain People choreographed by Malia Johnston is presented. Dancers were Natasha Alpe, Kerryn McMurdo, Alexa Wilson, Jenny Nichols, Geoff Gilson, Guy Ryan, Stu Armstrong. * During July, the NZ International Film Festival features a programme of NZ dance films with premieres of Fly by Shona McCullagh, Canopy by Mary Jane O'Reilly, Asylum by Wilhimeena Gordon, ''Wireless'' by Daniel Belton, and Rover by Morag Brownlie. Fly subsequently win
Official Selection for Clermond-Ferrand 2002, Winner of both the Reeldance Award and People's Choice Awards, Australia 2002
* NZ School of Dance turns 35 and marks the occasion with a weekend of open performances; Student choreography season Finding Jimmy is presented at Te Whaea. * Premiere season of WHITE by Raewyn Hill (with dancers Sarah-Jayne Howard and Sarah Sproull and dramaturg Duncan Sarkies) running from 24 July – 4 August at Bats, Wellington.
Black Grace & Friends at Sky City
is a season of short works and two significant events for the company. Female "guest" dancers perform with the company for the first time and the gender differences between the male and female dancers are the subject for Ieremia's new Human Language. A choreographer from outside the company is commissioned for the first time—Daniel Belton creates Whai, a kinetic sculptural work with stage-wide elastic bands manipulated by the dancers. A third work by dancer Taiaroa Royal marks the passing of his father. * The September Dance Your Sox Off festival in Wellington includes four dance seasons by professional dancers: Raewyn Hill premieres When Love Comes Calling from 4–7 September at Bats, subsequently touring to Christchurch, Dunedin and Auckland; Native is presented by Leonie Douglas and the Epitome Company (Sean McDonald, Seonaid Lyons and Claire Barret) with sound design by Blackbridge Productions – musicians Andrew McMillan and Paul Stanley, and live triggering of sound and lighting, a STAB Commission at BATS; Streamline Danceworks present new works by Leigh Evans, Angela Westerby, THROW Disposable Choreography (aka Kristian Larsen), Anne Anderson and Kay Muir, at Bats Theatre, 11–14 September; and The Mandelbrot Set presents another evening of improv contemporary dance and music at The Space, Newtown. 13 Sept. Performers: Lyne Pringle, Sarah Sproull, Emily Kerr and 5 musicians. * In Auckland, on 13 September, emerging choreographic collective Fresh Produce perform their inaugural Vacuum Packed show at Kingsland central as a fundraiser, departing on tour the next day to present their show in Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin. * In Christchurch, The Body dance & physical theatre festival – workshops & performances runs from 13–29 September and includes 10 professional productions: Closed Circuit Orbit (touring from Wellington); Footnote's Banding Together 2002 (touring from Wellington); Poised by Hagley Dance Company; Vacuum Packed (7 short works touring from Auckland), Standing on My Hands by Jan Bolwell (touring from Wellington); Raewyn Hill's When Love Comes Calling (touring from Wellington); the Danceworks 2002 development project presents new short works by Richard Bullock and Shay Horay (for Ricochet Predicament), Sarah Franks, Sheryl Robinson (for Local Weeds), Andrew Shepherd, Fleur de Thier (for Scrambled Legs), Megan Platt, Julia Sadler (for Fresh Produce), and Sally Williams,(for the clinic); Slow Stride Eyes Open by Scrambled Legs; Wilderness/Weather by Michael Parmenter with Sarah-Jayne Howard (touring from Wellington), and three dance films by Daniel Belton – Lumin, Henge and Wireless. * In Auckland on 21 September, the 2002 Aotearoa Hip Hop Summit takes over at The Edge – 8 crews battle in finals, plus workshops and performances throughout the day. That same weekend, Axess Interdisciplinary Collective (Kerryn McMurdo, Brent Harris, and Alexa Wilson) hold a fundraiser at MIC with guests Prue Cunningham, Mark Harvey, Dion Hitchens, Val Smith, Dianna Brinsden, Charles Koroneho, Wilhemeena Gordon, DJ Joe Fish vs Krutov. * Mika Haka tours the country on return from the Edinburgh Festival. * In Auckland, Touch Compass takes to the big stage of the ASB Theatre for the first time on 28–29 September wit
a major new dance theatre work, Lighthouse
co-developed by Catherine Chappell and Christian Penny with the cast. This subsequently tours to Tauranga and is recognised a
a major highlight of the dance year
* Black Grace launches a season o
short New Works by company members
in Wellington at Te Whaea on 24 September, subsequently touring throughout New Zealand before closing in Auckland on 30 November * During October, two major awards are made to New Zealand choreographers
Shona McCullagh
becomes a Laureate of the Arts Foundation, and Raewyn Hill winning an AMP Scholarship for international travel and study. * 6–8 Novembe
The Carlisle House Project
was a site specific project presented in two semi-derelict buildings on Richmond Road, Auckland. Produced by Michele Powles with choreography by Lou Potiki Bryant, Geoff Gilson, Vicky Kapo, Cathy Livermoore, Michele Powles, and Strange Fruit (Alyx Duncan and Maria Dabrowska). * In Wellington, Propulsion presented Black Body: a multi-sensory design journey involving dance theatre, literature and theatrical technology. Dancers were Kilda Northcott, Lyne Pringle and Sarah Sproull with Jean Betts, Edward Davis, David Holmes, Gabe McDonnell, Ciara Mulholland, Peter Petrovich, Lizz Santos, Heidi Simmonds, Alana Spragg, Annemiek Weterings. A STAB commission 13–23 November at Bats. * And in Dunedin, a week long creative workshop for dancers and photographers was led by choreographer Carol Brown and photographer Mattias Ek, 12–17 November. Subsequently, a week later, Wilderness/Weather by Michael Parmenter with Sarah-Jayne Howard was also presented in Dunedin. *


Radio and television

*29 April: Ian Fraser becomes CEO of TVNZ. See: 2002 in New Zealand television, 2002 in television,
List of TVNZ television programming This is an incomplete list of television programmes, past and present, screened on TVNZ, Television New Zealand that were made in New Zealand. Programmes Regular shows (screened throughout the year) Seasonal shows One-off series Shows tha ...
, :Television in New Zealand,
TV3 (New Zealand) Three ( mi, Toru), stylized as +HR=E, is a New Zealand nationwide television channel. Launched on 26 November 1989 as TV3, it was New Zealand's first private broadcasting, privately owned television channel. The channel currently broadcasts nat ...
, :New Zealand television shows,
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

* The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King * Tongan Ninja See: :2002 film awards,
2002 in film The year 2002 in film involved some significant events. Highest-grossing films The top 10 films released in 2002 by worldwide gross are as follows: 2002 was the first year to see three films cross the eight-hundred-million-dollar mileston ...
, List of New Zealand feature films,
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 ...
, :2002 films


Internet

See
NZ Internet History


Sport

* See:
2002 in sports 2002 in sports describes the year's events in world sport. Alpine skiing * Alpine Skiing World Cup ** Women's overall season champion: Michaela Dorfmeister, Austria American football * Super Bowl XXXVI – the New England Patriots (AFC) won 20 ...
, :2002 in sports


Athletics

*
Mark Bright Mark Abraham Bright (born 6 June 1962) is an English sports correspondent and former footballer. Born to a Gambian father and English mother, he was adopted into a foster family in Stoke-on-Trent at an early age. He played non-league football ...
wins his first national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:29:24 on 27 April in Rotorua, while Bernardine Portenski claims her third in the women's championship (3:01:36).


Basketball

* The NBL was won by the
Waikato Titans The Waikato Pistons were a New Zealand basketball team based in Hamilton. The Pistons competed in the National Basketball League (NBL) and played their home games at Hamilton Boys' High School. After sitting out the 2012 NBL season, the Pist ...
who beat the
Nelson Giants The Nelson Giants are a New Zealand basketball team based in Nelson. The Giants compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at the Trafalgar Centre. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as the Mike Pero Nelson ...
85–83 in the final * The Waikato Lady Titans won the Women's NBL, beating the Canterbury Wildcats 88–60 in the final.


Commonwealth Games

{, class="wikitable" , - ! !! !! !! Total , - style="text-align:center;" , 11 , , 13 , , 21 , , 45


Cricket

*Cricket: Various Tours,
New Zealand cricket team The New Zealand national cricket team represents New Zealand in men's international cricket. Named the Black Caps, they played their first Test in 1930 against England in Christchurch, becoming the fifth country to play Test cricket. From 1930 ...
,
Chappell–Hadlee Trophy The Chappell–Hadlee Trophy in cricket is a One Day International cricket series between Australia and New Zealand. It is named after legendary cricketing families from the two countries: the Chappell brothers ( Ian, Gregory, and Trevor) of ...


Golf

: See
New Zealand Open The New Zealand Open is the premier men's golf tournament in New Zealand. It has been a regular fixture on the PGA Tour of Australasia tournament schedule since the 1970s. The 2019 event was the 100th edition of the tournament. Since 2014 it has ...
, Check :New Zealand golfers in overseas tournaments.


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 ...
Gracious Knight *
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 ...
Young Rufus *
New Zealand Free For All The New Zealand Pacing Free For All is a major New Zealand harness race. It is notable as it is a Group One championship sprint race and has been won by nearly every champion pacer in New Zealand. History of the race Horses which have won the ...
Yulestar


Netball

: see
Silver Ferns The New Zealand national netball team, commonly known as the Silver Ferns, represent New Zealand in international netball. The team take their nickname from the Silver Tree Fern ('' Cyathea dealbata''), which is an emblem for many New Zealand ...
,
National Bank Cup The National Bank Cup was the pre-eminent national netball competition in New Zealand between 1998 and 2007. From 2008, it was replaced by the ANZ Championship. Format In the rounds, each team played every other team once, then the top four teams ...
,


Olympics

* New Zealand sends a team of 10 competitors in five sports. {, class="wikitable" , - ! !! !! !! Total , - style="text-align:center;" , 0 , , 0 , , 0 , , 0


Paralympic Games

* New Zealand sends a team of two competitors in one sport. {, class="wikitable" , - ! !! !! !! Total , - style="text-align:center;" , 4 , , 0 , , 2 , , 6


Rugby union

*Rugby: :Rugby union in New Zealand, Super 14,
Rugby Union World Cup The Rugby World Cup is a men's rugby union tournament contested every four years between the top international teams. The tournament is administered by World Rugby, the sport's international governing body. The winners are awarded the Webb E ...
,
National Provincial Championship The National Provincial Championship may refer to: * National Provincial Championship (1976–2005), original competition before reform into 14 sides * National Provincial Championship (2006–present) The National Provincial Championship, o ...
, :All Blacks,
Bledisloe Cup The Bledisloe Cup is an annual rugby union competition originally staged between the national teams of Australia's Wallabies and New Zealand's All Blacks that has been contested since the 1930s. The frequency that the competition is held has va ...
,
Tri Nations Series The Rugby Championship is an international rugby union competition contested annually by Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. These are the four highest ranked national teams in the Southern Hemisphere; the Six Nations is a ...
,
Ranfurly Shield The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Shield is based on a challenge system. The holding union must defend the shield in challeng ...


Rugby league

* The
New Zealand Warriors The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand that competes in the National Rugby League (NRL) premiership and is the League's only team from outside Australia. They were formed in 1995 as ...
had their best season ever in the Australian NRL competition, winning the Minor Premiership and making the
Grand Final Primarily in Australian sports, a grand final (sometimes colloquially abbreviated to "grannie") is a game that decides a sports league's premiership (or championship) winning team, i.e. the conclusive game of a finals (or play-off) series. S ...
, which they lost to the
Sydney Roosters The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional Rugby League Football Club based in the Eastern Suburbs (Sydney) and parts of inner Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League (NRL) competition. The Roosters have won fifteen Ne ...
, 30-8 * The Bartercard Cup was won by the
Mt Albert Lions The Mount Albert Lions are a rugby league club based in Mount Albert, New Zealand. The Lions home ground is at Fowlds Park. Their patron is the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark. In 2008 and 2009 the Lions won the Fox Memorial. ...
who defeated the
Hibiscus Coast Raiders The Hibiscus Coast Raiders are a rugby league club based on the Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand. They compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition and between 2000 and 2005 were also involved in the Bartercard Cup competition. History ...
24–20 in the grand final, the last match ever played at
Carlaw Park Carlaw Park was a multi-purpose stadium in Parnell, a central suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. It neighboured the Auckland Domain's Northern end. It was primarily used for rugby league and had a peak spectator capacity of around 28,000 in the 1 ...
. *The
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 ...
played in six test matches, winning three and drawing one: **12 October – Lost to Australia 24–32; **3 November – Defeated Wales 50–22; **9 November – Defeated Great Britain 30–16; **16 November – Drew with Great Britain 14–all; **23 November – Lost to Great Britain 10–16; **30 November – Defeated France 22–14.


Shooting

*Ballinger Belt – Trevor Oliver (Onslow)


Soccer

* The
All Whites The New Zealand men's national football team ( mi, Tīma hoka a-motu o Aotearoa) represents New Zealand in men's international football competitions. The team is governed by the governing body for football in New Zealand, New Zealand Footbal ...
won the
OFC Nations Cup The OFC Nations Cup is an international association football tournament held among the OFC member nations. It was held every two years from 1996 to 2004; before 1996 there were two other tournaments held at irregular intervals, under the name ...
held in Auckland, beating Australia 1–0 in the final. This qualified the team for the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup in Mexico. *
New Zealand National Soccer League The New Zealand National League is the name given to the current New Zealand top football competition. Originally set up as the New Zealand National Soccer League there has been many versions of the competition as well as many different names. Th ...
was won by
Miramar Rangers Miramar Rangers AFC is an amateur New Zealand association football club in the Wellington suburb of Miramar. The club is one of the most successful in New Zealand having won the Chatham Cup four times and the National League title twice. Over t ...
* 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
Napier City Rovers Napier City Rovers is a football team based in Napier, New Zealand, competing in the Central Premier League. Club history The team was founded in 1973 via a merger of Napier Rovers and Napier City. Napier City Rovers have won New Zealand's ...
who beat
Tauranga City United Tauranga City AFC is a football club based in Tauranga, New Zealand. The men's and women's teams currently both compete in the NRFL Championship. Club history Tauranga City AFC was formed in 1964, in 2000 they changed their name to Tauranga City ...
2–0 in the final.Chatham Cup records, nzsoccer.com


Births


January–June

* 23 January – Henrietta Christie, racing cyclist * 29 January – George Bell, rugby union player * 4 February – Ben Barclay, freestyle skier * 7 February – Grace Nweke, netball player * 11 February –
Liam Lawson Liam Lawson (born 11 February 2002) is a New Zealand motor racing driver set to compete in the 2023 Super Formula Championship with Team Mugen. Lawson, who is mentored by three-time New Zealand Grand Prix winner Ken Smith, previously competed f ...
, motor racing driver * 19 February – Marko Stamenic, association footballer * 25 February – Luke Wijohn, activist * 2 March – Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, rugby union player * 12 March –
Riley Bidois Riley Bidois (born 12 March 2002) is a professional New Zealand footballer who plays as a forward for Dandenong City. Bidois joined the Wellington Phoenix Reserves in 2019 after he was spotted playing in the Western Springs U17 tournament whe ...
, association footballer * 27 March –
Marisa van der Meer Marisa Isabel van der Meer (born 27 March 2002) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a defender. She is part of the New Zealand Football team in the football competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics The , officially the ...
, association footballer * 4 April – Naufahu Whyte, rugby league player * 13 April – Matthew Garbett, association footballer * 14 April –
Oskar van Hattum Oskar van Hattum (born 14 April 2002) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a forward for Wellington Phoenix. Club career Youth career Van Hattum played football for Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth, and played r ...
, association footballer * 18 April – Ava Collins, association footballer * 19 April – Taine Murray, basketball player * 28 April – Tim Robinson, cricketer * 1 May – Matthew Payne, rugby union player * 10 May – Cool Wakushima, snowboarder * 25 May –
Campbell Wright Campbell Wright (born 25 May 2002) is an American-New Zealand biathlete. In November 2021, he became the second teenager to score Biathlon World Cup points. He represented New Zealand in biathlon at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. He becam ...
, biathlete * 2 June – Fonua Pole, rugby league player * 3 June –
Beckham Wheeler-Greenall Beckham Reef Wheeler-Greenall (born 3 June 2002) is a New Zealand cricketer. He is an all-rounder, bowling right-arm offspin. He represented New Zealand in the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, finishing the tournament as his team's second-highes ...
, cricketer * 11 June – Mojave King, basketball player


July–December

* 4 July – Alex Paulsen, association footballer * 17 July – Laurence Pithie, racing cyclist * 27 July –
Stella Ashcroft Stella Ashcroft (born 27 July 2002) is an artistic gymnast from New Zealand, specialising in the vault, beam and floor events. In 2018, she competed at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia. Ashcroft is from Christchurch, New Zeal ...
, artistic gymnast * 31 July –
Keegan Jelacic Keegan Daniel Jelacic ( hr, Jelačić ; born 31 July 2002) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for A-League club Brisbane Roar Brisbane Roar Football Club is an Australian professional soccer club based in Br ...
, association footballer * 2 August – Xavier Willison, rugby league player * 13 August – Ben Old, association footballer * 17 August –
Michael Pickett Michael Pickett may refer to: * Michael Pickett (musician) * Michael Pickett (swimmer) {{hndis, Pickett, Michael ...
, swimmer * 17 September –
Vosne Romanee Vosne Romanee (foaled 17 September 2002) is a three-time Group 1 winning New Zealand Horse. While being a competitive Group 1 horse earlier in his career, he rose to prominence as a seven-year-old in 2009/10. His most significant win came as one ...
, Thoroughbred racehorse * 21 September –
Darci Brahma Darci Brahma (Danehill-Grand Echezeaux; foaled 21 September 2002) is a New Zealand thoroughbred colt foaled in 2002 at Pencarrow Stud near Cambridge in New Zealand. He was auctioned at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ltd Yearling Sales in January 20 ...
, Thoroughbred racehorse * 3 October **
Monkey King The Monkey King, also known as Sun Wukong ( zh, t=孫悟空, s=孙悟空, first=t) in Mandarin Chinese, is a legendary mythical figure best known as one of the main characters in the 16th-century Chinese novel '' Journey to the West'' ( zh, ...
, Standardbred racehorse ** Matthew Payne, motor racing driving * 16 October – Julian Dennison, actor * 5 November –
Jawsh 685 Joshua Christian Nanai (born 5 November 2002), better known as Jawsh 685, is a New Zealand beat maker and music producer. While a student at Manurewa High School, in South Auckland, New Zealand, he made his breakthrough with the 2020 siren jam ...
beat maker and music producer * 7 November –
Wahid Wahid or Waheed is an Arabic masculine given name, meaning "One", "Absolute One". Al-Wahid is one of the 99 names of Allah. Given name * Waheed Akhtar (1934–1996), * Waheed Alli, Baron Alli (born 1964), British multimillionaire media entrepre ...
, Thoroughbred racehorse * 14 November –
Seachange ''SeaChange'' is an Australian television program that ran from 1998 to 2000 on the ABC and in 2019 on the Nine Network. It was created by Andrew Knight and Deborah Cox and starred Sigrid Thornton, David Wenham, William McInnes, John Howar ...
, Thoroughbred racehorse * 20 December – Billy Frazer, racing driver * 2 December –
Master O'Reilly Master O'Reilly (2002–2013) was a New Zealand bred race horse trained by Judy Mawer. He was the 2007 winner of the Caulfield Cup when ridden by Vlad Duric. In October 2007, Master O'Reilly was penalized 1.5 kg by Racing Victoria Limited ...
, Thoroughbred racehorse * 12 December – Sydnee Andrews, judoka


Deaths


January–March

* 3 January – Jack Skinner, association football player (born 1915) * 12 February – Ossie Johnson, triple jumper (born 1906) * 13 February – Mike Gilbert, rugby union and rugby league player (born 1911) * 15 February –
Kevin Smith Kevin Patrick Smith (born August 2, 1970) is an American filmmaker, actor, comedian, comic book writer, author, YouTuber, and podcaster. He came to prominence with the low-budget comedy buddy film '' Clerks'' (1994), which he wrote, directed, ...
, actor (born 1963) * 22 February ** Sir
Raymond Firth Sir Raymond William Firth (25 March 1901 – 22 February 2002) was an ethnologist from New Zealand. As a result of Firth's ethnographic work, actual behaviour of societies (social organization) is separated from the idealized rules of behaviou ...
, ethnologist (born 1901) **
Allen Johnston Allen Howard Johnston (2 September 1912 - 22 February 2002) was an Anglican bishop. Johnston was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He was educated at Seddon Memorial Technical College and St John's College, Auckland before beginning his ordained ...
, Anglican bishop (born 1912) * 23 February – Ossie Butt, rugby league player, selector and administrator (born 1934) * 6 March –
Richard Dell Richard Kenneth Dell (11 July 1920 – 6 March 2002) was a New Zealand malacologist. Biography Dell was born in Auckland in 1920. As a young boy, he took an interest in shells, collecting them from the shores of Waitematā Harbour. He even ...
, malacologist (born 1920) * 9 March – Gordon Hunter, rugby union player, coach and selector (born 1949) * 12 March –
Empire Rose Empire Rose (1982–2002) was one of the most popular Thoroughbred mares to race in New Zealand and Australia. She was a gigantic chestnut, only just fitting into the barrier stalls in Melbourne. Trained by Laurie Laxon, one of New Zealand's ...
, thoroughbred racehorse (foaled 1982) * 14 March – Cherry Grimm, fantasy and science-fiction writer under the pseudonym Cherry Wilder (born 1930) * 26 March – Roy Calvert, World War II pilot (born 1913) * 27 March –
Geoffrey Sim Geoffrey Fantham Sim (2 April 1911 – 27 March 2002) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party. Biography Sim was born at Ngatapa near Gisborne in 1911. He received his education at Morrinsville, Pukekohe High School, and ...
, politician (born 1911) * 29 March – John Dick, rugby union player (born 1912)


April–June

* 2 April – Mona Leydon, swimmer (born 1915) * 27 April – Lachie Grant, rugby union player (born 1923) * 29 April – Jack Kelly, rugby union player, schoolteacher (born 1926) * 2 May – Ross Smith, rugby union player (born 1929) * 19 May –
Herbert Familton Herbert Edward Jepson (Herb or Herbie) Familton (31 March 1928 – 19 May 2002) was an alpine skier from New Zealand. He competed for New Zealand at the 1952 Winter Olympics at Oslo.Norman King, politician (born 1914) * 31 May –
Roy Blair Roy Alexander James Blair (13 June 1921 – 31 May 2002) was a New Zealand roller skater, speed skater, cricketer and golfer. He was born and died in Dunedin. He worked as a teacher, and in the Second World war served with the Air Force. Skatin ...
, cricketer (born 1921) * 3 June – Sir Edward Somers, jurist (born 1928) * 10 June –
Dick Brittenden Richard Trevor Brittenden (22 August 1919 – 10 June 2002) was from the 1950s to the 1980s New Zealand's most prominent cricket writer. Early life, family and career Brittenden was born at Rakaia on 22 August 1919, and was educated at Chris ...
, cricket writer (born 1919) * 26 June –
Yvonne Rust Niria Yvonne Rust (19 November 1922 – 26 June 2002) was a New Zealand potter and artist. Biography Rust completed a diploma in fine arts in 1946 and became a high school art teacher, mostly in Canterbury, New Zealand, Canterbury, in New ...
, potter (born 1922) * 27 June ** Alan Brunton, poet and playwright (born 1946) ** Barry Smith, preacher and author (born 1933)


July–September

* 9 July – Ron Scarlett, paleozoologist (born 1911) * 23 July – Bill Bell, cricketer (born 1931) * 3 August **
Arthur Cresswell Arthur Edward Cresswell (7 August 1917 – 3 August 2002) was a New Zealand cricketer who played for Wellington and was one of the first players who played for Central Districts in the early 1950s. He was the younger brother of Fen Cresswell. A ...
, cricketer (born 1917) ** Joyce Sullivan, netball player (born 1918) * 24 August –
Alan Brash Alan Anderson Brash (5 June 1913 – 24 August 2002) was a leading minister of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, and of the worldwide ecumenical movement. He was the son of notable Presbyterian lay leader Thomas Brash, and the ...
, church leader (born 1913) * 29 August – Betty Forbes, athlete (born 1916) * 9 September –
Graham Kennedy Graham Cyril Kennedy AO (15 February 1934 – 25 May 2005) was an Australian entertainer, comedian and variety performer, as well as a personality and star of radio, theatre, television and film. He often performed in the style of vaudevilli ...
, rugby league player and coach (born 1939) * 24 September –
Ron Jeffery Ronald Clarence Jeffery (6 September 1917 – 24 September 2002), also Józef Kawala, Stanisław Jasiński, Sporn and Botkin, was an English soldier and an agent of British intelligence, British and History of Polish intelligence services#1939.E ...
, World War II spy (born 1917) * 27 September – Bill Pearson, writer, critic, English literature academic (born 1922)


October–December

* 1 October – Ernest Bezzant, cricketer (born 1916) * 3 October –
Dalvanius Prime Maui Dalvanius Prime (16 January 1948 – 3 October 2002) was a New Zealand entertainer and songwriter. His career spanned 30 years. He mentored many of New Zealand's Māori performers, and was a vocal and forthright supporter of Māori culture ...
, entertainer (born 1948) * 11 October – Betty Molesworth Allen, botanist (born 1913) * 12 October **
Stanley James Stanley Neville James (3 January 1932 – 12 October 2002) was a New Zealand cricketer. He was a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-pace bowler who played a single match for Otago during the 1953–54 season. James was born at Wangan ...
, cricketer (born 1932) **
Mark Parker Mark Parker (born October 21, 1955) is an American businessman. He serves as executive chairman of Nike, Inc. He was named the third CEO of the company in 2006 and served as president and CEO until 13 January 2020. Personal life Parker was born ...
, cricketer (born 1975) * 13 October – Sir
Garfield Todd Sir Reginald Stephen Garfield Todd (13 July 1908 – 13 October 2002) was a liberal Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia from 1953 to 1958 and later became an opponent of white minority rule in Rhodesia. Background Todd was born in Invercargil ...
, missionary, politician (born 1908) * 18 October – Buddy Lucas, swimmer and surf lifesaver (born 1931) * 23 October – David Lewis, sailor, explorer (born 1917) * 28 October –
Hyperno Hyperno (1973–2002) was a Thoroughbred racehorse foaled in New Zealand. He was a wayward but brilliant galloper that won the Melbourne Cup and other group and listed races. He was sired by Rangong (GB) out of Mikarla (NZ) by Persian Garden II ...
, thoroughbred racehorse (foaled 1973) * 15 November ** Betty Plant, netball player, coach and administrator, heritage campaigner (born 1920) ** JJ Stewart, rugby union coach, selector and administrator (born 1923) * 19 November – Gladys Pidgeon, swimmer (born 1906) * 20 November – Rod Heeps, rugby union player (born 1938) * 9 December –
Alister Atkinson Alister James Atkinson (1925-2002) was a New Zealand rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played representative rugby league (RL) for New Zealand in the 1954 World Cup. His position of preference was at Loose forward. Play ...
, rugby league player (born 1925) * 22 December –
Joe Morgan Joe Leonard Morgan (September 19, 1943 – October 11, 2020) was an American professional baseball second baseman who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Colt .45s / Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, ...
, rugby union player (born 1945) * 25 December –
Davina Whitehouse Davina Whitehouse (born Eileen Eliza Smith; 16 December 1912 – 25 December 2002), also known by the stage name Davina Craig before her marriage, was an English-born actress, acclaimed for her roles on stage and film in her native land in the ...
, actor (born 1912) * 29 December –
Don Clarke Donald Barry Clarke (10 November 1933 – 29 December 2002) was a New Zealand rugby union player who played 89 times (31 of these were test matches) as a New Zealand international from 1956 until 1964. He was best known for his phenomena ...
, rugby union player (born 1933)


See also

*
List of years in New Zealand The table of years in New Zealand is a tabular display of all years in New Zealand, for overview and quick navigation to any year. While a chronological century would include the years (e.g.) 1801 to 1900, and hence a decade would be 1801-1810 ...
*
Timeline of New Zealand history This is a timeline of the history of New Zealand that includes only events deemed to be of principal importance – for less important events click the year heading or refer to List of years in New Zealand. Prehistory (to 1000 CE) * 85 mya ...
*
History of New Zealand The history of New Zealand ( Aotearoa) dates back to between 1320 and 1350 CE, when the main settlement period started, after it was discovered and settled by Polynesians, who developed a distinct Māori culture. Like other Pacific cultures, M ...
*
Military history of New Zealand The military history of New Zealand is an aspect of the history of New Zealand that spans several hundred years. When first settled by Māori almost a millennium ago, there was much land and resources, but war began to break out as the country' ...
*
Timeline of the New Zealand environment This is a timeline of environmental history of New Zealand. It includes notable events affecting the natural environment of New Zealand as a result of human activity. Pre 1700s 14th century- *Arrival of Māori who brought with them the kiore ...
*
Timeline of New Zealand's links with Antarctica This is a timeline of the history of New Zealand's involvement with Antarctica. Pre 1900s ;1838–1840 *French and American expeditions, led by Jules Dumont d'Urville and Charles Wilkes. John Sac, a Māori travelling with Wilkes, becomes th ...


References


External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:2002 in New Zealand
New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
2000s in New Zealand
New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
Years of the 21st century in New Zealand