The following lists events that happened during 1945 in New Zealand. Population A census was held on 25 September 1945. This was a year earlier than the established pattern, to make up for the lack of a census in 1941 due to World War II, and so that an electoral redistribution (the first for ten years) could be done before the . Estimated population as of 31 December: 1,727,800 Increase since previous 31 December 1944: 51,500 (3.07%) Males per 100 females: 98.1 Large increase is due to demobilisation of New Zealanders from military service overseas. 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 Government The 27th New Zealand Parliament continued, with the Labour Party in government. 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 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 2 May: New Zealand 2nd Division accepts surrender of the German Army in Trieste. 15 December: Main North Line railway linking Christchurch and Picton is completed and officially opened over seventy years after construction began. Saturday and Sunday trading by most retail outlets, apart from dairies and takeaway food outlets, is banned. Arts and literature See 1945 in art, 1945 in literature, :Category:1945 books Music See: 1945 in music Radio See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand Film See: :Category:1945 film awards, 1945 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, :Category:1945 films Sport Archery National Champions (Postal Shoot) Open: W. Burton (Gisborne) Women: P. Bryan (Auckland) Athletics Lionel Fox wins his first national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:54:09.2 in Wellington. Chess The 52nd National Chess Championship was held in Auckland, and was won by R.G. Wade of Wellington (his 2nd win). Cricket Horse racing Harness racing New Zealand Trotting Cup – Gold Bar Auckland Trotting Cup – Sea Born Lawn bowls The national outdoor lawn bowls championships are held in Auckland. Men's singles champion – J.S. Martin (Carlton Bowling