The following lists events that happened during 1975 in New Zealand. Population Estimated population as of 31 December: 3,143,700 Increase since 31 December 1974: 51,800 (1.68%) Males per 100 females: 99.5 Incumbents Regal and viceregal Head of State – Elizabeth II Governor-General – Sir Denis Blundell GCMG GCVO KBE QSO. Government The 37th New Zealand Parliament continued. Government was by a Labour majority of 55 seats to the National Party's 32 seats. At 29 November election, the allocation of seats for the 38th parliament was reversed and the National Party formed the new government on 12 December. Speaker of the House – Stan Whitehead. Prime Minister – Bill Rowling then Robert Muldoon Deputy Prime Minister – Bob Tizard then Brian Talboys. Minister of Finance – Bob Tizard then Robert Muldoon. Minister of Foreign Affairs – Bill Rowling then Brian Talboys. Attorney-General – Martyn Finlay then Peter Wilkinson. Chief Justice — Sir Richard Wild Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition – Robert Muldoon (National) until 12 December, then Bill Rowling (Labour). Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – Dove-Myer Robinson Mayor of Hamilton – Mike Minogue Mayor of Wellington – Michael Fowler Mayor of Christchurch – Hamish Hay Mayor of Dunedin – Jim Barnes Events 4 February – American Lynne Cox becomes the first woman to swim across Cook Strait, making the north–south crossing in just over 12 hours. 31 May – Disappearance (and presumed death) of 18-year-old Mona Blades. 14 September – Māori land march protesting at land loss leaves Te Hapua. 13 October – Māori land march reaches Parliament building in Wellington, Whina Cooper presents a Memorial of Rights to the Prime Minister Bill Rowling and Māori Affairs Minister Matiu Rata. 29 November – 1975 general election. The Dunedin Longitudinal Study begins, following the health and development of 1037 children born in Dunedin between 1972 and 1973. Arts and literature Witi Ihimaera wins the Robert Burns Fellowship. See 1975 in art, 1975 in literature, :Category:1975 books Music New Zealand Music Awards ALBUM OF THE YEAR John Hanlon – Higher Trails BEST SINGLE / SINGLE OF THE YEAR Rockinghorse – Thru' The Southern Moonlight RECORDING ARTIST/ GROUP OF THE YEAR Mark Williams BEST NEW ARTIST Space Waltz PRODUCER OF THE YEAR Alan Galbraith – Yesterday Was Just The Beginning of My Life ENGINEER OF THE YEAR Phil Yule – Higher Trails ARRANGER OF THE YEAR Mike Harvey – Higher Trails