The following lists events that happened during 1944 in New Zealand. Population Estimated population as of 31 December: 1,676,300 Increase since 31 December 1943: 34,300 (2.09%) Males per 100 females: 94.3 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 commenced, 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 – Thomas Hislop then Will Appleton Mayor of Christchurch – Ernest Andrews Mayor of Dunedin – Andrew Allen then Donald Cameron Events 21 January – New Zealand and Australia sign the Canberra Pact in which they agree to cooperate on international affairs. 15 March – New Zealand General Freyberg orders the destruction of the monastery at Cassino using 775 aircraft, 1250 tons of bombs, and 200,000 shells. At the end of the battle, New Zealand has lost 1050 men, one of the worst days in its history. March – Meat rationing is introduced, with an allowance of 1/9 to 2/- per person per week. October US Navy closes US Naval Base New Zealand 31 October – Refugees from Eastern Poland, 800 including 734 orphaned children, arrive in New Zealand via Siberia and Iran. The New Zealand head tax on Chinese immigrants from 1881 (63 years) is repealed. Arts and literature See 1944 in art, 1944 in literature, :Category:1944 books Music See: 1944 in music Radio See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand Film See: :Category:1944 film awards, 1944 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, :Category:1944 films Sport Archery National Champions (Postal Shoot) Open: W. Burton (Gisborne) Women: R. Mitchell (Dunedin) Chess The 51st National Chess Championship was held in Wellington, and was won by R.G. Wade of Wellington. Cricket Horse racing Harness racing New Zealand Trotting Cup – Bronze Eagle Auckland Trotting Cup – Betty Boop Lawn bowls The national outdoor lawn bowls championships are held in Dunedin. Men's singles champion – M.J. Squire (Hawera Bowling Club) Men's pair champions