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 – George VI
Governor-General – Lieutenant-General The Lord Freyberg VC GCMG KCB KBE DSO
Government
The 28th New Zealand Parliament continued, with the Labour Party in government.
Speaker of the House – Robert McKeen (Labour) Prime Minister – Peter Fraser Minister of Finance – Walter Nash Minister of Foreign Affairs – Peter Fraser Attorney-General – Rex Mason Chief Justice – Sir Humphrey O'Leary
Parliamentary opposition
Leader of the Opposition – Sidney Holland (National Party).
Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland – John Allum
Mayor of Hamilton – Harold Caro
Mayor of Wellington – Will Appleton
Mayor of Christchurch – Ernest Andrews
Mayor of Dunedin – Donald Cameron
Events
19 January –The TSMV , completing her first trans-tasman crossing since World War II, runs aground on Barrett Reef 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 ceremony held by New Zealand Navy in grounds of Treaty house, Waitangi. 6 March – The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 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 4 April – Horahora Power Station is decommissioned as the filling of Lake Karapiro 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, introduced in May 1942, is abolished.
Arts and literature
See 1947 in art, 1947 in literature
Music
See: 1947 in music
Radio
See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand
Film
See: :Category:1947 film awards, 1947 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, :Category:1947 films
Sport
Archery
National Champions (Postal Shoot) Open Men – W. Burton (Gisborne) Open Women – G. Norris (Dunedin)
Athletics
George Bromley wins his first national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:58:54 in Auckland.
Basketball
The first interprovincial championship for women is held.
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 – Highland Fling
Auckland Trotting Cup – 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 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 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 Canterbury: Western Hawke's Bay: Napier HSOB Nelson: Nelson United Otago: Mosgiel AFC South Canterbury: Northern Hearts Southland: Invercargill Thistle Taranaki: Albion Waikato: Claudelands Rovers Wanganui: Technical College Old Boys Wellington: Wellington Marist