The following lists events that happened during 1912 in New Zealand. The 1911 General Election, the first contested by the Reform Party, left parliament in an indeterminate state, with Reform holding 38 seats, Liberal 36, Labour 1 and with 5 independents. Liberal, who had been in government for the past 21 years, claimed that Reform did not have a mandate, since many of their seats were the smaller rural electorates, and the Liberals proceeded to form a government under Joseph Ward as per the previous two parliaments. Such were the loyalties of the independent members that votes were often deadlocked and dependent upon the casting vote of the Speaker. As a result, Joseph Ward resigned on 28 March, to be succeeded by agriculture minister Thomas Mackenzie. However, the government was defeated on the next occasion that parliament met, and the first Reform Government was formed under William Massey in July. Incumbents Regal and viceregal Head of State - George V Governor - The Lord Islington GCMG GBE DSO PC, succeeded the same year by The Earl of Liverpool Government Speaker of the House - Arthur Guinness - (Liberal) Prime Minister - Joseph Ward until 28 March, then Thomas Mackenzie (Liberal) until 10 July, then William Massey (Reform) Minister of Finance - Joseph Ward until 28 March, then Arthur Myers (Liberal) until 10 July, then James Allen (Reform) Chief Justice — Sir Robert Stout Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition - William Massey (Reform Party) until 10 July. The Liberal opposition had no recognised leader until the following year. Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland - James Parr Mayor of Wellington - David McLaren Mayor of Christchurch - John Joseph Dougall then Henry Holland Mayor of Dunedin - William Burnett then John Wilson Events 24 February: The TSS Earnslaw launched at Kingston on Lake Wakatipu. 28 March: Prime Minister Joseph Ward resigns and is replaced by Thomas Mackenzie. April: Pelorus Jack is seen for the last time. May: Waihi miners' strike commences. 10 July: William Massey sworn in as Prime Minister after the Liberal Party loses a vote of no confidence. September–October: French director Gaston Méliès and a company of film-makers make eight films in New Zealand including the first New Zealand feature films; see The River Wanganui. October: Waihi Goldmining Company reopens the mine with scab labour. 18 October: The TSS Earnslaw makes her maiden voyage on Lake Wakatipu, from