The following lists events that happened during 1972 in New Zealand. Population Estimated population as of 31 December: 2,959,700 Increase since 31 December 1971: 61,200 (2.11%) Males per 100 females: 99.7 Incumbents Regal and viceregal Head of State – Elizabeth II Governor-General – Sir Arthur Porritt Bt GCMG GCVO CBE, followed by Sir Denis Blundell GCMG GCVO KBE QSO. Government The 36th Parliament of New Zealand concluded. A general election was held on 8 December and saw the second National government defeated by a large margin, with the Labour Party winning 55 of 87 seats in Parliament. Speaker of the House – Roy Jack until 8 December, then Alfred Allen. Prime Minister – Keith Holyoake then Jack Marshall then Norman Kirk Deputy Prime Minister – Jack Marshall then Robert Muldoon then Hugh Watt. Minister of Finance – Robert Muldoon then Bill Rowling. Minister of Foreign Affairs – Keith Holyoake then Jack Marshall then Norman Kirk. Attorney-General – Dan Riddiford until 9 February, then Roy Jack until 8 December, then Martyn Finlay. Chief Justice — Sir Richard Wild Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition – Norman Kirk (Labour) until 8 December, then Jack Marshall (National). Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – Dove-Myer Robinson Mayor of Hamilton – Mike Minogue Mayor of Wellington – Frank Kitts Mayor of Christchurch – Neville Pickering Mayor of Dunedin – Jim Barnes Events 14 September - As a part of the Māori protest movement, activist group Ngā Tamatoa, the Te Reo Māori Society of Victoria University, and Te Huinga Rangatahi (the New Zealand Māori Students’ Association) presented a petition signed by over 33,000 people calling for te Reo Māori to be taught in schools, leading to the creation of te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) in 1975, and a revitalisation of Māori language. 20 October – Restrictions on the manufacture and sale of margarine in New Zealand are removed. 3 December – Qantas commences the first Boeing 747 service in New Zealand, between Christchurch and Sydney. Chile and New Zealand establish embassies in each other's capitals. The Values Party is formed. Arts and literature Ian Wedde wins the Robert Burns Fellowship. See 1972 in art, 1972 in literature Music New Zealand Music Awards Loxene Golden Disc Suzanne – Sunshine Through A Prism Loxene Golden Disc Creation – Carolina See: 1972 in music Performing arts Benny Award presented by the Variety Artists Club