The following lists events that happened during 1990 in New Zealand. New Zealand celebrated its sesquicentennial, 150 years since the signing of The Treaty of Waitangi. In the general election in October, National was elected in a landside victory. GDP was $40.2 billion, unemployment was at 7.4% (March) and the exchange rate was 1 NZ$ per US$1.6750. This year New Zealand produced 8,000 million kWh of electricity. Population Estimated population as of 31 December: 3,410,400 Increase since 31 December 1989: 40,600 (1.20%) Males per 100 females: 97.3 Incumbents Regal and viceregal Head of State – Elizabeth II Governor-General – Paul Reeves followed by Catherine Tizard Government The 42nd New Zealand Parliament continued, until the general election, held 27 October. The governing Labour Party was defeated. and The National Party, led by Jim Bolger, formed the new government. Speaker of the House – Kerry Burke then Robin Gray Prime Minister – Geoffrey Palmer then Mike Moore then Jim Bolger Deputy Prime Minister – Helen Clark then Don McKinnon Minister of Finance – David Caygill then Ruth Richardson Minister of Foreign Affairs – Russell Marshall then Mike Moore then Don McKinnon Chief Justice — Sir Thomas Eichelbaum Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition – Jim Bolger (National), until 2 November, then Mike Moore (Labour) . NewLabour Party – Jim Anderton (after 2 November General election) Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – Catherine Tizard then Les Mills Mayor of Hamilton – Margaret Evans Mayor of Wellington – Jim Belich Mayor of Christchurch – Vicki Buck Mayor of Dunedin – Richard Walls Events Unknown Telecom sold for $ 4.25 billion. New Zealand Bill of Rights Act passed The Tongariro National Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its natural values. Creation of Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site The Royal New Zealand Navy tanker and the frigates and were deployed to Bougainville as a neutral venue for peace talks between the government of Papua New Guinea and secessionist leaders of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army. New Zealand ratifies the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. New Zealand and the Netherlands signed a reciprocal Social Security Agreement in October 1990, which came into effect in 1992. Banning of wood chip exports. Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is formed. Establishment of the Forest Heritage Fund (later renamed "Nature Heritage Fund"). Ministry for the Environment Green Ribbon Award