The following lists events that happened during 1939 in New Zealand. Population Estimated population as of 31 December: 1,641,600 Increase since 31 December 1938: 23,300 (1.44%) Males per 100 females: 103.0 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 Minister of Finance – Walter Nash Minister of Foreign Affairs – Michael Joseph Savage Attorney-General – Rex Mason Chief Justice – Sir Michael Myers Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition – Adam Hamilton (National Party). Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – Ernest Davis Mayor of Wellington – Thomas Hislop Mayor of Christchurch – Robert Macfarlane Mayor of Dunedin – Andrew Henson Allen Events 29 January: (Sunday) Opening of St Peter's College, Auckland by Bishop J M Liston. 20 March: William Snodgrass, a New Zealand politician, disappeared from the interisland ferry Arahura while travelling overnight from Wellington to Nelson. 3 September (backdated to 9.30 pm): New Zealand declares war on Germany at the same time as Britain (though delayed until confirmation by the Admiralty message to the fleet). 31 October: The Strongman coal mine in Nine Mile Valley near Greymouth is officially opened by Minister of Mines, Paddy Webb. 8 November: New Zealand Centennial Exhibition opened in Kilbirnie, Wellington 13 December: New Zealand warship HMS Achilles fought in the Battle of the River Plate against German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee. 17 December: The Graf Spee is scuttled off Montevideo harbour. The Poverty Bay Herald changes its name to The Gisborne Herald, which continues to publish . Arts and literature See 1939 in art, 1939 in literature, :Category:1939 books Music See: 1939 in music Radio See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand Film See: :Category:1939 film awards, 1939 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, :Category:1939 films Sport Athletics Clarrie Gibbons wins the national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:44:56.2 on 11 March 1939 in Napier. Basketball A second interprovincial championship is held even though there is still no national association. (see 1938 and 1946) Interpovincial Champions: Men – Wellington Chess The 48th National Chess Championship was held in Wanganui, and was won by J.B. Dunlop of Dunedin (his 5th title). Cricket Horse racing Harness racing New