The following lists events that happened during 1929 in New Zealand. Population Estimated population as of 31 December: 1,486,100 Increase since previous 31 December 1928: 18,700 (1.27%) Males per 100 females: 104.1 Incumbents Regal and viceregal Head of state – George V Governor-General – General Sir Charles Fergusson Bt GCMG KCB DSO MVO Government The 23rd New Zealand Parliament continued. Speaker of the House – Charles Statham (Independent) Prime Minister – TBD Deputy Prime Minister – TBD Minister of Finance – Joseph Ward (United) Minister of Foreign Affairs – TBD Chief Justice – Sir Charles Skerrett then Sir Michael Myers Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition – Gordon Coates (Reform) Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – George Baildon Mayor of Wellington – George Troup Mayor of Christchurch – John Archer Mayor of Dunedin – William Taverner, succeeded by Robert Black Events 9 March: 1929 Arthur's Pass earthquake: A quake of Richter Magnitude 7.1 in the Arthur's Pass area causes extensive landslips and damage to roads and railways. There are no injuries. 17 June: 1929 Murchison earthquake: An earthquake of surface wave magnitude 7.8 causes the deaths of 17 people and causes great damage in Murchison and surrounding areas 29 October: Black Tuesday. Wall Street crash triggers the 10-year Great Depression. Arts and literature See 1929 in art, 1929 in literature, :Category:1929 books Music See: 1929 in music Radio See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand Film See: :Category:1929 film awards, 1929 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, :Category:1929 films Sport Badminton National Champions Men's singles: J. Southon Women's singles: A. Ellett Men's doubles: T. Kelly and J. McLean Women's doubles: E. Hetley and F. Harvey Mixed doubles: T. Kelly and A. Ellett Chess The 38th National Chess Championship was held in Wellington, and was won by J.A. Erskine of Melbourne. Golf The 19th New Zealand Open championship was won by Andrew Shaw. The 33rd National Amateur Championships were held in Wanganui Men: Sloan Morpeth (Maungakiekie) – 3rd title Women: Mrs P.L. Dodgshun (Dunedin). Horse racing Harness racing New Zealand Trotting Cup – Peter Bingen (2nd win) Auckland Trotting Cup – Gold Jacket (2nd win) Thoroughbred racing New Zealand Cup – Chide Avondale Gold Cup – Historic Auckland Cup – Concentrate Wellington Cup – Vertigern New Zealand Derby – Honour Lawn bowls The national outdoor lawn bowls championships are held in Wellington. Men's singles champion