The following lists events that happened during 1970 in New Zealand. Population Estimated population as of 31 December: 2,852,100 Increase since 31 December 1969: 48,100 (1.72%) Males per 100 females: 99.9 Incumbents Regal and viceregal Head of State – Elizabeth II Governor-General – Sir Arthur Porritt Bt GCMG GCVO CBE. Government The 36th Parliament of New Zealand commenced, with the second National government in power. Speaker of the House – Roy Jack. Prime Minister – Keith Holyoake Deputy Prime Minister – Jack Marshall. Minister of Finance – Robert Muldoon. Minister of Foreign Affairs – Keith Holyoake. Attorney-General – Jack Marshall. Chief Justice — Sir Richard Wild Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition – Norman Kirk (Labour). Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – Dove-Myer Robinson Mayor of Hamilton – Mike Minogue Mayor of Wellington – Frank Kitts Mayor of Christchurch – Ron Guthrey Mayor of Dunedin – Jim Barnes Events 15 January – Police and anti-Vietnam war protestors clash outside the Intercontinental Hotel in Auckland, where visiting U.S. Vice-president Spiro Agnew is staying. 20 July – Christchurch is awarded the hosting rights to the 1974 British Commonwealth Games. The North Island natural gas network is commissioned following the completion of the Kapuni gas treatment plant. Natural gas is initially available in Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Hawera, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Levin and Wellington. Arts and literature Edward Middleton wins the Robert Burns Fellowship. See 1970 in art, 1970 in literature, :Category:1970 books Music New Zealand Music Awards The winners in the New Zealand Music Awards were Loxene Golden Disc SOLOIST AWARD Craig Scott – Lets Get A Little Sentimental Loxene Golden Disc GROUP AWARD Hogsnort Rupert – Pretty Girl See: 1970 in music Performing arts Benny Award presented by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand to Howard Morrison and Oswald Astley Cheesman. Radio and Television The Feltex Television Awards begin. Best Arts: Green Gin Sunset Best Light Entertainment: The Alpha Plan Public Affairs: Gallery for Brian Edwards' interview with Christiaan Barnard. Best Documentary: Three Score Years and Then Professional (TVPDA award): David Gardner Radio Hauraki granted the very first commercial licence in New Zealand breaking the government monopoly of the radio airwaves. See: 1970 in New Zealand television, 1970 in television, List of TVNZ television programming, :Category:Television in New Zealand, :Category:New Zealand television shows, Public broadcasting in New Zealand Film See: :Category:1970 film awards, 1970 in film, List of New