The following lists events that happened during 1986 in New Zealand. Population Estimated population as of 31 December: 3,313,500 Increase since 31 December 1985: 10,400 (0.31%) Males per 100 Females: 97.9 Incumbents Regal and viceregal Head of State – Elizabeth II Governor-General – The Rt Revd. Sir Paul Reeves GCMG GCVO QSO Government The 41st New Zealand Parliament continued. The fourth Labour Party government was in power. Speaker of the House – Gerard Wall Prime Minister – David Lange Deputy Prime Minister – Geoffrey Palmer Minister of Finance – Roger Douglas Minister of Foreign Affairs – David Lange Chief Justice – Sir Ronald Davison Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition – Jim McLay (National) until 26 March, then Jim Bolger (National). Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – Catherine Tizard Mayor of Hamilton – Ross Jansen Mayor of Wellington – Ian Lawrence then Jim Belich Mayor of Christchurch – Hamish Hay Mayor of Dunedin – Cliff Skeggs Events 16 February – Mikhail Lermontov sinks in the Marlborough Sounds. 26 March – Jim Bolger replaces Jim McLay as leader of the National Party. 21 June – The Wanganui Herald publishes its last issue. The paper started in 1865 as The Evening Herald. 9 July – Parliament passes the Homosexual Law Reform Bill, 49 votes to 44; the law comes into effect on 8 August. 1 October – GST is introduced at a rate of 10%. 22 November – Pope John Paul II visits New Zealand for two days. December – The Royal Commission on the Electoral System produces a report recommending the adoption of a mixed member proportional electoral system. 13 December – The Constitution Act is passed, ending the right of the British Parliament to pass laws on behalf of New Zealand. 16 December – Māori loan affair raised by Winston Peters in Parliament. Arts and literature Cilla McQueen wins the Robert Burns Fellowship. See 1986 in art, 1986 in literature, :Category:1986 books Music New Zealand Music Awards Winners are shown first with nominees underneath. ALBUM OF THE YEAR Peking Man – Peking Man The Verlaines – Halleujah Patsy Riggir – Patsy Riggir Country SINGLE OF THE YEAR Peking Man – "Room That Echoes" Ardijah – Give Me Your Number Patea Maori Club featuring Dalvanius – E Papa BEST MALE VOCALIST Pat Urlich Malcolm McNeill Sonny Day BEST FEMALE VOCALIST Margaret Urlich Betty Monga Annie Crummer BEST GROUP Peking Man