The following lists events that happened during 1979 in New Zealand.
Population
Estimated population as of 31 December: 3,163,900. Increase since 31 December 1978: -1,300 (−0.04%). Males per 100 females: 99.0.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal
Head of State – Elizabeth II
Governor-General – The Rt Hon. Sir Keith Holyoake KG GCMG CH QSO.
Government
Speaker of the House – Richard Harrison. Prime Minister – Robert Muldoon Deputy Prime Minister – Brian Talboys. Minister of Finance – Robert Muldoon. Minister of Foreign Affairs – Brian Talboys. 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 – Dove-Myer Robinson
Mayor of Hamilton – Ross Jansen
Mayor of Wellington – Michael Fowler
Mayor of Christchurch – Hamish Hay
Mayor of Dunedin – Clifford George (Cliff) Skeggs
Events
10 January – A fire destroys the Farmers' Co-operative Association department store in Blenheim, aided by strong northwesterly winds and a temperature. February: Muhammed Ali came to New Zealand; staying at Upper Hutt (photos). 17 February – an Air New Zealand Fokker F27 Friendship crashed into Manukau Harbour while on final approach to Auckland Airport 1 crew and 1 company staff member were killed. 19 March – Cessna aircraft en route from Palmerston North to Taupo crashed onto the Desert Rd in bad weather, killing all 6 occupants 24 May – Labour MP Malcolm Douglas is removed from Parliament six months after the 1978 general election, after an electoral petition by National opponent Winston Peters is upheld over irregularities in the votes of the electorate. Peters subsequently replaces Douglas 30 July – The carless days scheme is introduced, restricting private motor vehicles from driving on one day of the week. 8 August – 1979 Abbotsford landslip: Sixty-nine homes in the Dunedin suburb of Abbotsford are left uninhabitable after of land slips 48 metres in 15 minutes. 20 September – The New Zealand Federation of Labour holds a 24-hour general strike to protest government intervention in the drivers' award. Around 300,000 workers, mainly in the manufacturing and transport industries, participate in the strike. 3 November – The Evening Star ceases publication. The Dunedin newspaper was founded in 1863. 28 November – Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashes in Mount Erebus, Antarctica, killing all 237 passengers and 20 crewmembers aboard. Two years after its official opening, the new executive wing of Parliament Buildings, known as the Beehive, is completed and occupied by the Government.
Arts and literature
Michael A Noonan wins the Robert Burns Fellowship. Nambassa beach festival, touring family roadshow. Whangamatā Waihi Beach Mount Maunganui and Coromandel. Nambassa three-day music, crafts and alternative lifestyle festival on Phil and Pat Hulses' farm in Golden Valley, north of Waihi. Attendance 75,000 plus. Summer '79, outdoor arts festival in the parks of Wellington – including the Botanical Gardens, the Newtown Zoo, the Town Belt and several suburban parks.
See 1979 in art, 1979 in literature, :Category:1979 books
Music
New Zealand Music Awards
ALBUM OF THE YEAR Street Talk – Street Talk
SINGLE OF THE YEAR Th' Dudes – Be Mine Tonight
TOP MALE VOCALIST Rob Guest
TOP FEMALE VOCALIST Sharon O'Neill
TOP GROUP Th' Dudes
MOST PROMISING MALE VOCALIST Jon Stevens
MOST PROMISING FEMALE VOCALIST Tina Cross
MOST PROMISING GROUP Street Talk
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR Steve Robinson – This Heart This Song
ENGINEER OF THE YEAR Gerry Smith – This Heart This Song
BEST COVER DESIGN Geoff Chunn, Peter Burt & Dale Wrightson – Just Drove Through Town
See: 1979 in music
Performing arts
Benny Award presented by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand to Eddie Hegan and Chic Littlewood.
Radio and television
Feltex Television Awards: Best Current Affairs: Dateline Monday Best Documentary: Okarito Best Drama: The Mad Dog Gang Meets Rotten Fred and Ratsguts Best Speciality: Spot On Best Information: Fair Go Best Actor: David McPhail in A Week of It Best Actress: Barbara Ewing Entertainer of the Year: David McPhail Special Committee Award: Selwyn Toogood for pioneering work in Radio and Television
See: 1979 in New Zealand television, 1979 in television, List of TVNZ television programming, :Category:Television in New Zealand, :Category:New Zealand television shows, Public broadcasting in New Zealand