The following lists events that happened during 1940 in New Zealand. Population Estimated population as of 31 December: 1,633,600 Increase since 31 December 1939: -8000 (−0.49%) Males per 100 females: 99.1 Incumbents Regal and viceregal Head of State – George VI Governor-General – The Viscount Galway GCMG DSO OBE PC Government The 26th New Zealand Parliament continued with the Labour Party in government. Speaker of the House – Bill Barnard (Labour Party) Prime Minister – Michael Joseph Savage then Peter Fraser Minister of Finance – Walter Nash Minister of Foreign Affairs – Michael Joseph Savage then Frank Langstone Attorney-General – Rex Mason Chief Justice – Sir Michael Myers Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition – Adam Hamilton (National Party) until 26 November, then Sidney Holland (National). Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – Ernest Davis Mayor of Hamilton – Harold David Caro Mayor of Wellington – Thomas Hislop Mayor of Christchurch – Robert M. Macfarlane Mayor of Dunedin – Andrew Henson Allen Events 25 March: John A. Lee is expelled from the governing Labour caucus following his outspoken criticism of dying leader Michael Joseph Savage 27 March: New Zealand's first Labour Prime Minister, Michael Joseph Savage dies from cancer in Wellington. 19 June: The liner RMS Niagara is sunk by a mine laid by the off Whangarei. She was carrying British gold destined for America. 12 July: Pan American Airways flying boat service from Hawaii to Auckland via Canton Island (not Kingman Reef) commences. German surface raiders operated in New Zealand waters in 1940 and 1941, sinking four ships. Arts and literature See 1940 in art, 1940 in literature, :Category:1940 books Music See: 1940 in music Radio See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand Film Rewi's Last Stand (1940) One Hundred Crowded Years See: :Category:1940 film awards, 1940 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, :Category:1940 films Sport Chess The 49th National Chess Championship was held in Wellington, and was won by J.B. Dunlop of Dunedin (his 6th and last title). Cricket Horse racing Harness racing New Zealand Trotting Cup – Marlene Auckland Trotting Cup – Ned Worthy Lawn bowls The national outdoor lawn bowls championships are held in Wellington. Men's singles champion – G.A. Deare (Carlton Bowling Club) Men's pair champions – L.G. Donaldson, Bill Bremner (skip) (West End Bowling Club, Auckland) Men's fours champions – Bill Whittaker, J.W.T. Macklow, Alec Robertson, Frank Livingstone (skip)