The following lists events that happened during 1981 in New Zealand.
Population
Estimated population as of 31 December: 3,194,500. Increase since 31 December 1980: 18,100 (0.57%). Males per 100 females: 98.7.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal
Head of State – Elizabeth II
Governor-General – The Hon Sir David Beattie GCMG GCVO QSO QC.
Government
The 39th New Zealand Parliament, led by the National Party, concluded, and in the general election the party was re-elected in the 40th New Zealand Parliament. Support for the government decreased, however, with the Labour Party receiving the largest portion of the popular vote.
Speaker of the House – Richard Harrison. Prime Minister – Robert Muldoon Deputy Prime Minister – Brian Talboys then Duncan MacIntyre. Minister of Finance – Robert Muldoon. Minister of Foreign Affairs – Brian Talboys then Warren Cooper. Attorney-General – Jim McLay. Chief Justice — Sir Ronald Davison
Parliamentary opposition
Leader of the Opposition – Bill Rowling (Labour). Social Credit Party – Bruce Beetham
Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland – Colin Kay
Mayor of Hamilton – Ross Jansen
Mayor of Wellington – Michael Fowler
Mayor of Christchurch – Hamish Hay
Mayor of Dunedin – Clifford George (Cliff) Skeggs
Events
January – Nambassa five-day celebration of music, crafts and alternative lifestyles culture on farm at Waitawheta Valley between Waihi and Waikino. Attendance 20,000. January – The second Sweetwaters Music Festival is held near Ngāruawāhia. 11–16 April – Flooding in the Waikato causes over 2,250 people to evacuate their homes. 27 April – The Mahon Report into the crash of Air New Zealand Flight 901 is released, in which Justice Peter Mahon famously accuses Air New Zealand of telling "an orchestrated litany of lies". May – The first ATM in New Zealand was introduced in Wellington by the Northern Building Society. July – Passports reintroduced for New Zealanders travelling to Australia. The Australian Royal Commission of Inquiry into Drugs says the exemption was exploited; travel had not required passports following the 1972 Trans-Tasman Travel Agreement. 13 July – The South African rugby union team ("Springboks") arrives in New Zealand to begin the 1981 Springbok Tour 25 July – 1981 Springbok Tour: The match between South Africa and Waikato at Rugby Park, Hamilton, is cancelled after 350 anti-apartheid protesters invade the pitch. 18 August – Four people are killed after a Silver Fern railcar derails near Waiouru. 13 September – The Springbok rugby team leave New Zealand. 14 October – Christopher John Lewis attempts to assassinate Elizabeth II. The Kohanga reo scheme is established by the Department of Māori Affairs. The Food Act 1981 is passed into law. The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve is established
Arts and literature
William Sewell wins the Robert Burns Fellowship
See 1981 in art, 1981 in literature, :Category:1981 books
Music
New Zealand Music Awards
Winners are shown first and in boldface with nominees underneath. ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos – Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos Dennis O'Brien – Still in the same Dream Hammond Gamble – Hammond Gamble Band SINGLE OF THE YEAR: Coup D'État – Doctor, I Like Your Medicine Blam Blam Blam – No Depression in New Zealand Screaming Meemees – See Me Go TOP MALE VOCALIST: Dave McArtney (Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos) Deane Waretinei Hammond Gamble TOP FEMALE VOCALIST: Suzanne Prentice Jenny Morris Tina Cross TOP GROUP: Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos – Dave McArtney & The Pink Flamingos Newmatics Coup DE'tat MOST PROMISING MALE VOCALIST: Dave McArtney Paul Schreider David Hollis Richard Eriwata MOST PROMISING FEMALE VOCALIST: Anne Dumont Celine Toner Jenny Morris MOST PROMISING GROUP: The Screaming Meemees Blam Blam Blam Pop Mechanix ENGINEER OF THE YEAR: Dave Hurley & Graham Myhre – Dave McArtney & the Pink Flamingos Graham Myhre – Remember the Alamo Gerry Smith – Still in the Same Dream PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: Bruce Lynch – Dave McArtney and the Pink Flamingos James Hall – Breaking in Another Day James Hall – Still in the Same Dream BEST COVER DESIGN: David Hollis – Caught Alive Mark Clare – Broadcast O.R Hal Chapman – Dave McArtney and the Pink Flamingos SPECIAL AWARD: Fred Smith – Services to the Recording Industry (particularly with regard to Copyright)
See: 1981 in music
Performing arts
Benny Award presented by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand to Marcus Craig.