The following lists events that happened during 1968 in New Zealand.
Population
Estimated population as of 31 December: 2,773,000. Increase since 31 December 1967: 28,000 (1.02%). Males per 100 females: 99.8 – This was the first year (other than during a major war) in which the number of females exceeded the number of males.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal
Head of State – Elizabeth II
Governor-General – Sir Arthur Porritt Bt GCMG GCVO CBE.
Government
The 35th Parliament of New Zealand continued, with the National government in power. Speaker of the House – Roy Jack. Prime Minister – Keith Holyoake Deputy Prime Minister – Jack Marshall. Minister of Finance – Robert Muldoon. Minister of Foreign Affairs – Keith Holyoake. Attorney-General – Ralph Hanan. Chief Justice — Sir Richard Wild
Parliamentary opposition
Leader of the Opposition – Norman Kirk (Labour). Leader of the Social Credit Party – Vernon Cracknell
Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland – Roy McElroy then Dove-Myer Robinson
Mayor of Hamilton – Denis Rogers then Mike Minogue
Mayor of Wellington – Frank Kitts
Mayor of Christchurch – George Manning then Ron Guthrey
Mayor of Dunedin – Russell John Calvert then Jim Barnes
Events
10 April – Inter-Island ferry foundered off Wellington with the loss of 53 lives. 24 May – 1968 Inangahua earthquake 14 October – NAC commences scheduled Boeing 737-200 operations between Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. The Southland Daily News, which had been acquired by its rival The Southland Times in 1967, ceased publication and was replaced by an evening edition of The Times. The paper was first published as Southern News and Foveaux Strait's Herald in 1861. The Longest Drink In Town starts being sold.
Arts and literature
Ruth Dallas wins the Robert Burns Fellowship.
See 1968 in art, 1968 in literature, :Category:1968 books
Music
New Zealand Music Awards
Loxene Golden Disc Allison Durbin – I Have Loved Me A Man
See: 1968 in music
Radio and television
Wellington television crews win the World Newsfilm Award for their coverage of the Wahine disaster.
See 1968 in television, List of TVNZ television programming, :Category:Television in New Zealand, :Category:New Zealand television shows, Public broadcasting in New Zealand
Film
See: :Category:1968 film awards, 1968 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, :Category:1968 films
Sport
Athletics
Jeff Julian wins his second national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:22:40 on 9 March in Whangārei.
Association football
The Chatham Cup is won by Eastern Suburbs of Auckland, who beat Christchurch Technical 2–0 in the final. 1968 was the first year in which all three regional leagues operated, with the formation of the Southern League. Northern League premier division (Thompson Shield) won by Mt Wellington. Central League won by Western Suburbs FC Southern League First Division won by Christchurch City AFC
Chess
The 75th National Chess Championship was held in Dunedin, and was won by B.R. Anderson of Christchurch.
Cricket
Indian cricket team in New Zealand in 1967–68. The first Test was India's first win away from home, and the second Test was New Zealand's first victory over India.
Horse racing
Harness racing
New Zealand Trotting Cup: Humphrey
Auckland Trotting Cup: Cardinal Garrison
Motorsport
The 1968 Tasman Series was won by Jim Clark
The 15th 1968 New Zealand Grand Prix was won by Chris Amon
Olympic Games
Summer Olympics
New Zealand sends a team of 52 competitors.
Winter Olympics
New Zealand competes at the Winter Olympics for only the third time, with a team of six athletes.
Paralympic Games
Summer Paralympics
New Zealand sends a team to the Paralympics for the first time.
Rugby league
New Zealand competed in the 1968 Rugby League World Cup, losing all its 3 games to finish in last place.
Rugby union
The national team of France toured New Zealand, losing all three tests and one of their nine provincial matches.