1992 in New Zealand

Population

• Estimated population as of 31 December: 3,552,200
• Increase since 31 December 1991: 37,200
• Males per 100 females: 97.0

  Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

• Head of State – Elizabeth II
• Governor-General – The Hon Dame Catherine Anne Tizard, GCMG, GCVO, DBE, QSO

  Government

• Speaker of the House – Robin Gray
• Prime Minister – Jim Bolger
• Deputy Prime Minister – Don McKinnon
• Minister of Finance – Ruth Richardson
• Minister of Foreign Affairs – Don McKinnon
• Chief Justice — Sir Thomas Eichelbaum

  Parliamentary opposition

• Leader of the Opposition – Mike Moore.
• Alliance – Jim Anderton

  Main centre leaders

• Mayor of Auckland – Les Mills
• Mayor of Hamilton – Margaret Evans
• Mayor of Wellington – Jim Belich then Fran Wilde
• Mayor of Christchurch – Vicki Buck
• Mayor of Dunedin – Richard Walls

  Events

• 15 June – A by-election is held in the Tamaki electorate after the resignation of former Prime Minister Robert Muldoon. Clem Simich wins the seat and retains it for the National Party.
• 19 September – An indicative referendum on the voting system is held, with 85% of voters voting to change from the existing First Past the Post system, and 70% voting for Mixed Member Proportional as the replacement system.
• 27 October – New Zealand is elected to the United Nations Security Council for two years on the third ballot
• 12 December – A by-election is held in the Wellington Central electorate after Fran Wilde resigns to become Mayor of Wellington. Chris Laidlaw wins the seat and retains it for the Labour Party.
• The country experiences an electricity crisis after drought conditions result in low South Island hydro lake levels.
• Kapiti Marine Reserve is established

  Arts and literature

• Owen Marshall wins the Robert Burns Fellowship.

Music

[New Zealand Music Awards]

• Album of the Year: Headless Chickens – Body Blow
• *Midge Marsden – Burning Rain
• *MC OJ & The Rhythm Slave – What Can We Say
• Single of the Year: The Exponents – Why Does Love Do This To Me
• *Headless Chickens – Cruise Control
• *Push Push – Trippin
• Best Male Vocalist: Jordan Luck –
• *Mikey Havoc
• *Shayne Carter
• Best Female Vocalist: Fiona McDonald –
• *Moana
• *Ngaire
• Best Group: Push Push
• * The Exponents
• *Headless Chickens
• Most Promising Male Vocalist: David Parker –
• *Jon Toogood
• *James Gaylyn
• Most Promising Female Vocalist: Teremoana Rapley –
• *Christina Fuemana
• *Lorina Harding
• Most Promising Group: Shihad
• *The Exponents
• *These Wilding Ways
• International Achievement: Crowded House
• *Jenny Morris
• *Straitjacket Fits
• Best Video: Mauger Bros – Trippin'
• *Moana & The Moahunters – AEIOU
• *Headless Chickens – Cruise Control
• Best Producer: Steve Garden – Burning Rain
• *Rex Visible/ Headless Chickens – Body Blow
• *Carl Doy – Standing Ovation
• Best Engineer: Nick Morgan – Burning Rain
• *Tony Moan /Steve Smith – World Gone Wild
• *Ian Morris/ Tim Farrant – What's The Time Mr Wolf
• Best Jazz Album: Various / Broadbent / Chisholm / Gibson / Brown – Fine & Dandy
• *Nairobi Trio – Nairobi Trio
• *Liz Braggins – Liz Braggins
• Best Classical Album: Mcintyre / Doig / Marc – Wagner
• *Dorian Choir – Images of Light
• *Viva Voce – Sounds & Sweet Airs
• Best Folk Album: Lorina Harding – Lucky Damn Woman
• *Angela Dixon – Takin A Chance
• *Martin Curtis – The Daisy Patch
• Best Country Album: John Grenell – Windstar
• *Barbie Davidson – Borderline
• *Renderers – Trail of Tears
• Best Gospel Album: Pacific Island Choir – O Mai Ia Ia Iesu
• *Congregational Christian Church – Oe Le Faitoaga Moi
• *Ambassador Gospel Singers – Hear The Call
• Best Polynesian Album: Charles & Andre – CÉst Toi Ma Vie
• *The Five Stars – Children of Polynesia
• *Tumuenua Dance Group – Drums, Songs And Chants
• Best Māori Album: Moana & The Moahunters – AEIOU
• *John Rowles – E Te Tamaiti
• *The Whanau Funksters – Funky Whanau Feeling
• Best Songwriter: Neil Finn – Fall at Your Feet
• *Jordan Luck – Why Does Love Do This To Me
• *Neil & Tim Finn – It's Only Natural
• Best Cover: Hamish Kilgour – Pink Flying Saucers Over The Southern Alps
• *Richard Gourley -'Hold Onto Your Face
• *Dick Frizzell -What Can We Say?

Performing arts

• Benny Award presented by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand to Carl Doy ONZM.

  Radio and television

• 25 May: Shortland Street first airs.

Film

• Alex
• Braindead

Internet

Sport

Athletics

• Mark Hutchinson wins his first national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:16:32 on 25 October in Auckland, while Lee-Ann McPhillips claims her second in the women's championship.

  Horse racing

Harness racing

• New Zealand Trotting Cup: Blossom Lady
• Auckland Trotting Cup: Master Musician

  Thoroughbred racing

Olympic Games

Summer Olympics

• New Zealand sends a team of 134 competitors in 17 sports.

Winter Olympics

• New Zealand sends a team of nine competitors across three sports.
• Annelise Coberger wins New Zealand's first Winter Olympics medal.

Paralympic Games

Summer Paralympics

• New Zealand sends a team of 13 competitors.

Winter Paralympics

• New Zealand sends a team of seven competitors in one sport.

Shooting

• Ballinger Belt –
• *Micheil Sweet
• *Diane Collings, sixth, top New Zealander

  Soccer

• The Chatham Cup is won by Miramar Rangers who beat Waikato United 3–1 in the final.

  Births

January

• 1 January
• * Dane Cleaver, cricketer
• * Aaron James Murphy, actor
• * Nathaniel Peteru, rugby league player
• 3 January
• * Scott Kuggeleijn, cricketer
• * Daniel McLay, racing cyclist
• * Sio Siua Taukeiaho, rugby league player
• 5 January
• * Abby Damen, actor
• * Hagen Schulte, rugby union player
• 7 January – Tohu Harris, rugby league player
• 9 January – Joseph Parker, boxer
• 10 January – Carlos Tuimavave, rugby league player
• 12 January – Cole McConchie, cricketer
• 13 January – Sam Cane, rugby union player
• 14 January – Te Paea Selby-Rickit, netball player
• 15 January
• * Matthew Stanley, swimmer
• * Chris Ulugia, rugby league player
• 16 January – Ihaia West, rugby union player
• 17 January – Craig Cachopa, cricketer
• 21 January – Gafatasi Su'a, rugby union player
• 23 January – TJ Perenara, rugby union player
• 24 January – Christian Lloyd, rugby union player
• 29 January – Jordan Taufua, rugby union player

  February

• 1 February
• * Christian Huriwai, unicyclist
• * Milford Keresoma, rugby union player
• 3 February – Bryn Hall, rugby union player
• 4 February – Kayla Imrie, canoeist
• 5 February – Mitchell Santner, cricketer
• 9 February – Caitlin Ryan, canoeist
• 10 February – Johanna Theelen, water polo player
• 11 February – Ope Peleseuma, rugby union player
• 13 February – Kayla Cullen, netball player
• 14 February – Paterika Vaivai, rugby league player
• 15 February – Leigh Kasperek, cricketer
• 18 February – Matt Taylor, cricketer
• 23 February – Jamison Gibson-Park, rugby union player
• 24 February – Bevan Small, cricketer
• 25 February – Rose Matafeo, comedian, television presenter
• 26 February – Michael Chee Kam, rugby league player

  March

• 1 March – Tom Walsh, athlete
• 4 March – Omar Slaimankhel, rugby union and rugby league player
• 8 March – Nathan Harris, rugby union player
• 14 March – Joe Wright, rower
• 16 March
• * Olivia Merry, field hockey player
• * Siate Tokolahi, rugby union player
• 17 March – Jake Heenan, rugby union player
• 19 March
• * Alex Maloney, sailor
• * Api Pewhairangi, rugby league player
• 25 March – Mosese Fotuaika, rugby league player
• 29 March – Morgan Figgins, figure skater

  April

• 1 April
• * Alex Gilbert, adoption advocate
• * James Musa, association footballer
• * Adam Thomas, association footballer
• 2 April – Tom Latham, cricketer
• 3 April – Byron Wells, freestyle skier
• 4 April – Reggie Goodes, rugby union player
• 6 April – Francie Turner, rowing coxswain
• 7 April
• * Sitaleki Akauola, rugby league player
• * Joe Latta, rugby union player
• 9 April – Anna Willcox-Silfverberg, freestyle skier
• 13 April – Adam Milne, cricketer
• 17 April
• * Ambrose Curtis, rugby union player
• * Erin Nayler, association footballer
• 19 April
• * Brandon Field, gymnast
• * Ofa Tu'ungafasi, rugby union player
• 20 April – Sauaso Sue, rugby league player
• 28 April – Lakyn Heperi, musician

  May

• 3 May – Will Skelton, rugby union player
• 8 May – Wayne Ulugia, rugby league player
• 9 May – Paul Coll, squash player
• 10 May – Malakai Fekitoa, rugby union player
• 13 May – Josh Papalii, rugby league player
• 19 May
• * Kwabena Appiah, association footballer
• * Felise Kaufusi, rugby league player
• 24 May
• * Ethan Rusbatch, basketball player
• * Jack Whetton, rugby union player
• 26 May
• * Isaac Grainger, rower
• * Curtis Rona, rugby league player
• 28 May
• * Dylan Smith, water polo player
• * Hannah Wilkinson, association footballer

  June

• 5 June – Tupou Sopoaga, rugby league player
• 6 June – Nela Zisser, model
• 8 June – Sean Lovemore, association footballer
• 13 June – Benjamin Watt, boxing judge
• 14 June – Penani Manumalealii, rugby league player
• 30 June
• * Tom Doyle, association footballer
• * Grace Prendergast, rower

  July

• 3 July – Ryan Cocker, rugby union player
• 4 July – Brooke Neal, field hockey player
• 5 July – Felicity Milovanovich, actor
• 8 July – James Lowe, rugby union player
• 16 July – Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, rugby union player
• 23 July – Seta Tamanivalu, rugby union player
• 24 July – Shaun Kirkham, rower
• 26 July – Samantha Lucie-Smith, swimmer
• 30 July – Adam Barwood, alpine skier
• 31 July – John Palavi, rugby league player

  August

• 6 August – Hamish Northcott, rugby union player
• 7 August – Albert Nikoro, rugby union player
• 8 August – Jimmy Tupou, rugby union player
• 14 August
• * Liam Graham, association footballer
• * Marty McKenzie, rugby union player
• 17 August
• * Alex Elisala, rugby league player
• * Danielle Lewis, water polo player
• 20 August – Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick, netball player
• 24 August – James Hunter, rower
• 28 August – Willis Feasey, alpine skier

  September

• 3 September – Michael Davidson, cricketer
• 4 September – Princess Chelsea, musician
• 5 September – Teimana Harrison, rugby union player
• 6 September – Joe Walker, cricketer
• 10 September – Hugh Blake, rugby union player
• 14 September – Michael Fatialofa, rugby union player
• 17 September – Chris Vlok, motor racing driver
• 21 September – Avalon Biddle, motorcycle racer
• 24 September
• * Pita Ahki, rugby union player
• * Darcina Manuel, judoka
• 27 September – Eve MacFarlane, rower

  October

• 7 October – Hayley Jensen, cricketer
• 8 October – Octagonal, thoroughbred racehorse
• 11 October
• * Ianeta Hutchinson, water polo player
• * Ligi Sao, rugby league player
• 12 October – Rhys Marshall, rugby union player
• 13 October – Alex Kennedy, rower
• 19 October – Scott Eade, rugby union player
• 20 October – Maddy Green, cricketer
• 21 October – Aaron Barclay, triathlete
• 22 October – Nathan Flannery, rower
• 24 October – Roysyn, thoroughbred racehorse
• 26 October
• * Matt Proctor, rugby union player
• * Sam Vaka, rugby union player
• 29 October – Eric Sione, rugby union player
• 31 October – Ish Sodhi, cricketer

  November

• 3 November
• * Lance Beddoes, squash player
• * Jamie McDell, singer-songwriter
• 9 November – Bridgette Armstrong, association footballer
• 20 November – Lara Custance, actor
• 22 November
• * Natalie Dodd, cricketer
• * Will Young, cricketer

  December

• 4 December – Peta Hiku, rugby league player
• 8 December – Julia King, field hockey player
• 9 December – Sarah Goss, rugby union player
• 11 December – Megan Craig, squash player
• 12 December – Sophia Fenwick, netball player
• 17 December – Joe Carter, cricketer
• 21 December – Cameron Lindsay, association footballer
• 22 December – Aki Seiuli, rugby union player
• 23 December – Damon Leitch, motor racing driver
• 25 December – Christobelle Grierson-Ryrie, model

  Exact date unknown

• Stevie Tonks, singer

  Deaths

January–March

• 6 January – Steve Gilpin, musician
• 18 January – Desmond O'Donnell, rugby union player
• 20 January – Snow Bowman, rugby union player
• 3 February – Merv Corner, rugby union player, soldier, sports administrator
• 19 February – Sir Gordon Minhinnick, cartoonist
• 9 March – Ethel Gould, politician, MLC
• 15 March – Allan Dick, politician

  April–June

• 21 April – Barry Dallas, doctor, politician
• 28 April – Allan Highet, politician
• 2 May –
• * Trevor Hatherton, geophysicist, scientific administrator
• * Kel Tremain, rugby union player
• 9 May – Alex Stenhouse, association footballer
• 23 May – Ernst Plischke, architect
• 29 May – Mavis Rivers, jazz singer
• 4 June – Mortie Foreman, plastics manufacturer
• 5 June – Rangitaamo Takarangi, Māori welfare officer and community leader
• 9 June – Jim Clayton, rower

  July–September

• 4 July – Jimmy James, dancer, dance teacher, cabaret proprietor
• 10 July – Laurie Haig, rugby union player
• 11 July – Douglas St John, cricketer
• 17 July – Frank Haigh, lawyer, social reformer
• 27 July – Audrey Gale, lawyer, politician
• 30 July – John Scott, architect
• July – Mervyn Thompson, playwright, theatre director, drama academic
• 2 August –
• * Alf Cleverley, boxer
• * Roderick Finlayson, writer
• 5 August – Sir Robert Muldoon, politician
• 6 August – Jack Brooke, yachtsman, yacht designer, research engineer
• 14 August – Bill Hamilton, agricultural scientist, scientific administrator
• 15 August – Ronald Moore, soldier
• 19 September – Percy Allen, politician

  October–December

• 1 October – Samantha Dubois, radio presenter
• 4 October – Denny Hulme, motor racing driver
• 13 October – Ruth Page, political activist
• 24 October – Oswald Sanders, Christian teacher, missionary and writer
• 6 November – Gordon Innes, rugby union and rugby league player
• 18 November – Ken Gray, rugby union player, politician
• 22 November –
• * Ronald Sinclair, child actor, film editor
• *Sir Gerard Wall, surgeon, politician
• 12 December – Sir Robert Rex, Niuean politician
• 19 December – Eve Sutton, children's author
• 26 December – Eve Poole, Mayor of Invercargill
• 28 December – Paul Beadle, sculptor and medallist
• 29 December – Avice Bowbyes, home science academic
• 31 December – Sir Denis Barnett, air force officer