The following lists events that happened during 1973 in New Zealand. Population Estimated population as of 31 December 1973 – 3,024,900 Increase since 31 December 1972 – 65,200 (2.20%) Males per 100 females – 99.7 It took 21 years for the population to grow from 2 million to 3 million. Incumbents Regal and viceregal Head of State – Elizabeth II Governor-General – Denis Blundell Government The 37th New Zealand Parliament commences. Government is by a Labour majority of 55 seats to the National Party's 32 seats. Speaker of the House – Stan Whitehead Prime Minister – Norman Kirk Deputy Prime Minister – Hugh Watt Minister of Finance – Bill Rowling Minister of Foreign Affairs – Norman Kirk Attorney-General – Martyn Finlay Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition – Jack Marshall (National) Judiciary Chief Justice — Richard Wild 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 1 January – The 1973 New Year Honours are announced 4 February – The details of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement are announced 7 February – A heat wave affects large parts of New Zealand. Rangiora reaches , the highest temperature recorded in New Zealand. 11 February – The Rolling Stones play a single New Zealand concert, at Western Springs Stadium, Auckland, on their 1973 Pacific Tour 1 March – The Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement is implemented 10 April – Prime Minister Kirk cancels the 1973 South African rugby tour to New Zealand over fears of civil unrest. 16 April – After a retrial, Arthur Allan Thomas is again found guilty of the murders of Harvey and Jeannette Crewe. 2 June – The 1973 Queen's Birthday Honours are announced 19 October – The New Zealand Day Act 1973, making 6 February a national holiday, receives royal assent. 31 October – Colour television is introduced. Arts and literature Graham Billing wins the Robert Burns Fellowship. See 1973 in art, 1973 in literature, :Category:1973 books Music New Zealand Music Awards ALBUM OF THE YEAR John Donoghue – Spirit Of Pelorus Jack RECORDING ARTIST / GROUP OF THE YEAR Shona Laing BEST SINGLE / SINGLE OF THE YEAR John Hanlon – Damn The Dam BEST NEW ARTIST Shona Laing BEST NZ RECORDED COMPOSITION Anna Leah – Love Bug PRODUCER OF THE YEAR Keith Southern