The following lists events that happened during 1969 in New Zealand. Population Estimated population as of 31 December: 2,804,000 Increase since 31 December 1968: 31,000 (1.12%) Males per 100 females: 99.7. Incumbents Regal and viceregal Head of State – Elizabeth II Governor-General – Sir Arthur Porritt Bt GCMG GCVO CBE. Government The 35th parliament concluded and a general election was held on 26 November. It saw the Second National Government of New Zealand returned for a fourth term, with 45 of the 84 seats. The Social Credit Party lost its only seat. The overall vote was very close, with National only 1% ahead of Labour in total votes cast. Speaker of the House – Roy Jack . Prime Minister – Keith Holyoake Deputy Prime Minister – Jack Marshall. Minister of Finance – Robert Muldoon. Minister of Foreign Affairs – Keith Holyoake. Attorney-General – Ralph Hanan until 24 July, then vacant until Jack Marshall appointed on 22 December. Chief Justice — Sir Richard Wild Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition – Norman Kirk (Labour). Leader of the Social Credit Party – Vernon Cracknell until 26 November Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – Dove-Myer Robinson Mayor of Hamilton – Mike Minogue Mayor of Wellington – Frank Kitts Mayor of Christchurch – Ron Guthrey Mayor of Dunedin – Jim Barnes Events The voting age is lowered from 21 to 20. A law change allows the number of seats in Parliament to increase in order to preserve the number of South Island seats. This increases the number of MPs from 80 to 84. The trading banks computerise cheque handling and money transfer between banks with overnight processing, between February and November, see Databank Systems Limited. The Maui gas field was discovered, 35 km off the coast of Taranaki. The Save Manapouri campaign was launched at a public meeting in Invercargill in October. The Auckland Harbour Bridge was widened from 4 to 8 lanes. Blood and breath alcohol limits introduced for drivers. Arts and literature Warren Dibble wins the Robert Burns Fellowship. See 1969 in art, 1969 in literature, :Category:1969 books Music New Zealand Music Awards Loxene Golden Disc Shane – Saint Paul See: 1969 in music Radio and television Coverage of the Apollo 11 moon landing on videotape was flown from Sydney to Wellington by the RNZAF, and a microwave link was put together to allow its simultaneous broadcast throughout the country. 5