Geoffrey Palmer becomes 33rd Prime Minister. First annual balance of payments surplus since 1973. Reserve Bank Act sets bank's role as one of maintaining price stability. First school board elections under Tomorrow's Schools reforms. First elections under revised local government structure. Sunday trading begins. The final Remnants of capital punishment are abolished 26 November: Third TV channel begins. Māori Fisheries Act passed. 1990s 1990 New Zealand celebrates its sesquicentennial. Māori leaders inaugurate National Congress of Tribes. Dame Catherine Tizard becomes first woman Governor-General. Geoffrey Palmer resigns as prime minister; Mike Moore succeeds him as the 34th Prime Minister. 30 April: One- and two-cent coins are phased out. Commonwealth Games held in Auckland. Telecom sold for $4.25 billion. Pay Television Network Sky TV began broadcasting. Big earthquake in Hawke's Bay. 27 October: 1990 New Zealand general election: National Party has landslide victory. Jim Bolger becomes 35th Prime Minister. 13–14 November: David Gray kills thirteen at Aramoana, before police shoot him dead. 1991 The Resource Management Act 1991 is enacted, rewriting planning law. One- and two-dollar coins introduced to replace their respective banknotes. The "Mother of All Budgets" is presented by Finance Minister Ruth Richardson. The Alliance party is formed. Employment Contracts Act passed. Consumers Price Index has lowest quarterly increase for 25 years. Welfare payments cut. Number of unemployed exceeds 200,000 for the first time. New Zealand troops join multi-national force in the Gulf War. An avalanche on Aoraki / Mount Cook reduces its height by 10.5 metres. 1992 Government and Māori interests negotiate Sealord fisheries deal. Public health system reforms. State housing commercialised. New Zealand gets seat on United Nations Security Council. Student Loan system is started / Tertiary Fees raised 1993 Centennial of women's suffrage celebrated. New Zealand First launched by Winston Peters. 6 November: General election won by National, without obtaining a majority. Referendum favours MMP electoral system. Opposition MP Peter Tapsell becomes Speaker of the House, thus giving the government a majority. 1994 Government commits 250 soldiers to front-line duty in Bosnia. Government proposes $1 billion cap in plan for final settlement of Treaty of Waitangi claims. New Zealand's first casino opens in Christchurch. David Bain is convicted of murdering five members of his family. First fast-ferry service begins operation across Cook Strait. 1995 Team New Zealand wins America's Cup. Occupation of Moutoa Gardens, Wanganui. Waikato Raupatu Claims Settlement Act passed. New political parties form: the Conservatives,