The following lists events that happened during 1978 in New Zealand. Population Estimated population as of 31 December: 3,165,200 Decrease since 31 December 1977: 1,200 (0.04%) Males per 100 females: 99.2 This was the first year since 1941 in which New Zealand's population declined (due to emigration, largely to Australia). Incumbents Regal and viceregal Head of State – Elizabeth II Governor-General – The Rt Hon. Sir Keith Holyoake KG GCMG CH QSO. Government Speaker of the House – Richard Harrison. Prime Minister – Robert Muldoon Deputy Prime Minister – Brian Talboys. Minister of Finance – Robert Muldoon. Minister of Foreign Affairs – Brian Talboys. Attorney-General – Peter Wilkinson until 13 December, then Jim McLay. Chief Justice — Sir Richard Wild (until 20 January), Sir Ronald Davison (starting 3 February) Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition – Bill Rowling (Labour). Social Credit Party – Bruce Beetham Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – Dove-Myer Robinson Mayor of Hamilton – Ross Jansen Mayor of Wellington – Michael Fowler Mayor of Christchurch – Hamish Hay Mayor of Dunedin – Clifford George (Cliff) Skeggs Events The Pureora Forest Park was established after a series of protests and tree sittings. 18 February – The Rangitikei by-election was won by Bruce Beetham for Social Credit. 1 April – Flag carriers Air New Zealand and the National Airways Corporation merge to form a single airline under the Air New Zealand name. 12 September – Kaimai Rail Tunnel on the East Coast Main Trunk Railway, at 8896 m the longest tunnel in New Zealand, opened. December – Holy Name Seminary, Christchurch (Catholic) closed. Arts and literature Roger Hall and Peter Olds win the Robert Burns Fellowship. See 1978 in art, 1978 in literature, :Category:1978 books January Nambassa, three-day music, crafts and alternative lifestyles festival on Phil and Pat Hulses' farm in Golden Valley, north of Waihi. Attendance 25,000. October Nambassa winter road show, toured the North Island of NZ, promoting the 1979 festival. Music New Zealand Music Awards Winners were as follows: ALBUM OF THE YEAR Hello Sailor – Hello Sailor SINGLE OF THE YEAR Golden Harvest – I Need Your Love TOP MALE VOCALIST John Rowles TOP GROUP Hello Sailor TOP FEMALE VOCALIST Sharon O’Neill ENGINEER OF THE YEAR Ian Morris – Hello Sailor PRODUCER OF THE YEAR Rob Aicken – Hello Sailor MOST PROMISING GROUP Citizen Band MOST PROMISING FEMALE VOCALIST Kim Hart MOST PROMISING MALE