The following lists events that happened during 1946 in New Zealand. Population Estimated population as of 31 December: 1,781,200 Increase since 31 December 1945: 53,400 (3.09%) Males per 100 females: 100.2 Incumbents Regal and viceregal Head of State – George VI Governor-General – Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Cyril Newall GCB OM GCMG CBE AM, succeeded same year by Lieutenant-General The Lord Freyberg VC GCMG KCB KBE DSO Government The 27th New Zealand Parliament concluded, with the Labour Party in government. Labour was re-elected for a fourth term in the election in November, but with a smaller majority. Speaker of the House – Bill Schramm (Labour) Prime Minister – Peter Fraser Minister of Finance – Walter Nash Minister of Foreign Affairs – Peter Fraser Attorney-General – Rex Mason Chief Justice – Sir Michael Myers (until 7 August), Sir Humphrey O'Leary (starting 12 August) Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition – Sidney Holland (National Party). Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – John Allum Mayor of Hamilton – Harold Caro Mayor of Wellington – Will Appleton Mayor of Christchurch – Ernest Andrews Mayor of Dunedin – Donald Cameron Events Family benefit of £1 per week becomes universal. Bank of New Zealand nationalised. Arts and literature See 1946 in art, 1946 in literature, :Category:1946 books Music See: 1946 in music Radio See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand Film See: :Category:1946 film awards, 1946 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, :Category:1946 films Sport Archery National Champions (Postal Shoot) Open: W. Burton (Gisborne) Women: P. Bryan (Auckland) Athletics Lionel Fox wins his second national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:40:00 in Wanganui. Basketball National Associations are formed for both men and women (now combined as Basketball New Zealand) and the first championship for men under the control of their association is held. (see 1938 and 1939) Interprovincial champions: Men – (tie) Auckland, Wellington, Otago Chess The 53rd National Chess Championship was held in Christchurch, and was won by T. Lepviikman of Wellington. Cricket Horse racing Harness racing New Zealand Trotting Cup – Integrity Auckland Trotting Cup – Loyal Nurse Lawn bowls The national outdoor lawn bowls championships are held in Christchurch. Men's singles champion – J.S. Martin (Edgeware Bowling Club) Men's pair champions – G.C. Batchelor, S.C.K. Smith (skip) (North End Bowling Club, Invercargill) Men's fours champions – W. Hillhouse, J. Gourley, J. Armstrong, F.