The following lists events that happened during 1952 in New Zealand.
The population of New Zealand reaches 2 million.
Population
Estimated population as of 31 December: 2,024,600. Increase since 31 December 1951: 54,100 (2.75%). Males per 100 females: 101.1.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal
Head of State – George VI followed by Elizabeth II
Governor-General – Lieutenant-General The Lord Freyberg
Government
The 30th New Zealand Parliament continued. In power was the National government under Sidney Holland.
Speaker of the House – Mathew Oram
Prime Minister – Sidney Holland
Deputy Prime Minister – Keith Holyoake
Minister of Finance – Sidney Holland
Minister of Foreign Affairs – Clifton Webb
Chief Justice — Sir Humphrey O'Leary
Parliamentary opposition
Leader of the Opposition – Walter Nash (Labour).
Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland – John Allum
Mayor of Hamilton – Harold David Caro
Mayor of Wellington – Robert Macalister
Mayor of Christchurch – Robert Macfarlane
Mayor of Dunedin – Leonard Morton Wright
Events
January
February
6 February – George VI dies and is succeeded by Elizabeth II as Queen of New Zealand
March
April
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Arts and literature
See 1952 in art, 1952 in literature, :Category:1952 books
Music
See: 1952 in music
Radio
See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand
Film
Broken Barrier
See: :Category:1952 film awards, 1952 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, :Category:1952 films
Sport
Athletics
Jack Clarke wins his second national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:38:42 on 1 March in Wanganui.
Chess
The 59th National Chess Championship was held in Napier, and was won by Ortvin Sarapu of Christchurch (his first title).
Cricket
Various Tours, New Zealand cricket team
Horse racing
Harness racing
New Zealand Trotting Cup – Mobile Globe
Auckland Trotting Cup – Soangetaha (2nd win)
Lawn bowls
The national outdoor lawn bowls championships are held in Dunedin. Men's singles champion – Frank Livingstone (Onehunga Bowling Club) Men's pair champions – R.K. Aitchison, E. Ravenwood (skip) (North-East Valley Bowling Club) Men's fours champions – N.M. Johnston, W.J. Ashton, M.J. Squire, K.S. Ewing (skip) (Stratford Bowling Club)
Olympic Games
Summer Olympics
Winter Olympics
New Zealand sends a team to the Winter Olympics for the first time.
Soccer
The Chatham Cup was shared by the finalists North Shore United and Western (Christchurch) after the extra time score (1–1) and all criteria for deciding a winner at that time were equal. The national men's soccer team toured to the Pacific, playing 10 matches, 5 of which were internationals: 31 August, Suva: NZ 1 – 0 Suva 3 September, Suva: NZ 8 – 3 Southern Districts 7 September, Suva: NZ 2 – 0 Fiji 9 September, Lautoka: NZ 0 – 0 Lautoka 11 September, Lautoka: NZ 5 – 0 Northern Districts 14 September, Lautoka: NZ 9 – 0 Fiji 16 September, Suva: NZ 5 – 2 Fiji 21 September, Papeete: NZ 2 – 2 Tahiti 25 September, Fautaua: NZ 7 – 1 Chinese Selection 28 September, Papeete NZ 5 – 3 Tahiti Provincial league champions: Auckland: Eastern Suburbs AFC Canterbury: Technical OB Hawke's Bay: West End Manawatu: Palmerston North United Nelson: Settlers Northland: Otangarei United Otago: Northern AFC Poverty Bay: Thistle South Canterbury: Thistle Southland: Brigadiers Taranaki: Overseas Waikato: Pukemiro Junction Wairarapa: Masterton B Wanganui: Technical College Old Boys Wellington: Petone