The following lists events that happened during 1925 in New Zealand. Incumbents Regal and viceregal Head of State – George V Governor-General – Sir Charles Fergusson Government The 21st New Zealand Parliament concludes, with its final year marked by the death of premier William Massey. The Reform Party governs as a minority with the support of independents. Following the general election in November, the Reform Party holds a much stronger position with 55 of the 80 seats. Speaker of the House – Charles Statham Prime Minister – William Massey until 10 May, then Francis Bell from 14 to 30 May, then Gordon Coates Minister of Finance – William Massey until 10 May, then William Nosworthy from 14 May Minister of External Affairs – Francis Bell Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition – Thomas Wilford (Liberal Party) until 13 August, then George Forbes (Liberal) until 4 November, then vacant (until June 1926) Judiciary Chief Justice – Sir Robert Stout Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – James Gunson, succeeded by George Baildon Mayor of Wellington – Robert Wright, succeeded by Charles Norwood Mayor of Christchurch – James Flesher, succeeded by John Archer Mayor of Dunedin – Harold Tapley Events 1 January National scheme for vehicle registration plates comes into force Ernest Rutherford is appointed to the Order of Merit 21 April – Alfred Averill succeeds Churchill Julius as Archbishop of New Zealand 10 May – Prime Minister William Massey dies in office 31 May – Tahupotiki Wiremu Rātana announces his intention to form the Rātana Church 17 June – The Franklin by-election, caused by the death of William Massey, is won by Ewen McLennan (Reform) August – The U.S. Navy's Pacific battlefleet of 57 vessels including 12 battleships visits New Zealand during a goodwill tour of the South Pacific after manoeuvres off Hawaii. 3–4 November – The 1925 general election is held, with the Reform Party winning 55 of the 80 seats in the House of Representatives 4 November – An Order in Council provides for the transfer of Tokelau from the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony to New Zealand (formally gazetted 11 February 1926) 17 November – The New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition opens at Logan Park, Dunedin Undated – Lloyd Mandeno develops the single-wire earth return electrical distribution system Arts and literature See: 1925 in art, 1925 in literature, Allen Adair published by Jane Mander Music See: