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. 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. 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