established Penny Jamieson, Anglican Bishop of Dunedin, was ordained the first women Diocesan bishop in the world. January 24 January: Commonwealth Games are officially opened by Prince Edward in Auckland. February 1–16 February: Her Majesty Elizabeth II of New Zealand visits. 3 February: Commonwealth Games are officially closed by Elizabeth II in Auckland, with New Zealand winning 58 medals, 6 February: New Zealand celebrates its sesquicentennial. March 1 March – Royal New Zealand Navy discontinues the daily rum ration. April 30 April: One- and two-cent coins are withdrawn from legal tender. May 13 May: 6.2 Magnitude earthquake in Hawke's Bay June July 1 July: Tariffs were eliminated between Australia and New Zealand under the Closer Economic Relations agreement. This was five years ahead of schedule August September 4 September: Geoffrey Palmer: resigns as Prime Minister and is replaced by Mike Moore. October 1 October: The Health Research Council of New Zealand is formed. 27 October – New Zealand general election returns National with record number of seats – 67; Labour 29, NewLabour 1 27 October: Referendum to increase Parliamentary term from three to four years defeated: 30.7% For, 69.3% Against. November 2 November:Jim Bolger becomes Prime Minister. 2 November: Don McKinnon becomes Deputy Prime Minister 2 November: Ruth Richardson became the first woman Minister of Finance. 13 November: David Gray, an Aramoana resident, began a 22-hour shooting spree that left 13 people and Gray dead. December Government announces $1.275 Billion worth of social welfare cuts. 12 December: Dame Catherine Tizard becomes first woman Governor-General of New Zealand. Arts and literature David Eggleton wins the Robert Burns Fellowship. See 1990 in art, 1990 in literature, :Category:1990 books Music New Zealand Music Awards Winners are shown first with nominees underneath. Album of the Year: The Chills – Submarine Bells Brian Smith – Moonlight Sax Straitjacket Fits – Melt Single of the Year: The Chills – "Heavenly Pop Hit" Margaret Urlich – Number One Ngaire – To Sir With Love Top Male Vocalist: Barry Saunders John Grenell Barry Saunders Top Female Vocalist: Margaret Urlich Patsy Riggir Aishah Top Group: The Chills Straitjacket Fits Fan Club Most Promising Male Vocalist: Guy Wishart Alan Galloway John Kempt Most Promising Female Vocalist: Merenia Ngaire Caroline Easther Most Promising Group: Strawpeople Merenia & Where's Billy D-Faction International Achievement: Fan Club The Chills Margaret Urlich Best Video: Niki Caro – Bad Note for a Heart (Straitjacket Fits) Paul