The following lists events that happened during 1979 in New Zealand. Population Estimated population as of 31 December: 3,163,900 Increase since 31 December 1978: -1,300 (−0.04%) Males per 100 females: 99.0 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 – Jim McLay. Chief Justice — Sir Ronald Davison 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 10 January – A fire destroys the Farmers' Co-operative Association department store in Blenheim, aided by strong northwesterly winds and a temperature. 17 February – an Air New Zealand Fokker F27 Friendship crashed into Manukau Harbour while on final approach to Auckland Airport 1 crew and 1 company staff member were killed. 19 March – Cessna aircraft en route from Palmerston North to Taupo crashed onto the Desert Rd in bad weather, killing all 6 occupants 24 May – Labour MP Malcolm Douglas is removed from Parliament six months after the 1978 general election, after an electoral petition by National opponent Winston Peters is upheld over irregularities in the votes of the electorate. Peters subsequently replaces Douglas 30 July – The carless days scheme is introduced, restricting private motor vehicles from driving on one day of the week. 8 August – 1979 Abbotsford landslip: Sixty-nine homes in the Dunedin suburb of Abbotsford are left uninhabitable after of land slips 48 metres in 15 minutes. 3 November – The Evening Star ceases publication. The Dunedin newspaper was founded in 1863. 28 November – Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashes in Mount Erebus, Antarctica, killing all 237 passengers and 20 crewmembers aboard. Two years after its official opening, the new executive wing of Parliament Buildings, known as the Beehive, is completed and occupied by the Government. Arts and literature Michael A Noonan wins the Robert Burns Fellowship. Nambassa beach festival, touring family roadshow. Whangamatā Waihi Beach Mount Maunganui and Coromandel. Nambassa three-day music, crafts and