1915 in New Zealand

World War I and New Zealand's participation in it dominate the year. Most notably, New Zealand troops take part in the landings at ANZAC cove, Gallipoli on April 25th, and the ensuing campaign.

The various political parties agree to form a wartime coalition in August, even though the Reform Party has an absolute majority in parliament.

Many sporting events are put on hold for the duration of the war, due to the number of men serving in the armed forces and the drive to conserve resources for the war effort.

Incumbents

Regal and Vice Regal

*Head of State - George V
*Governor - The Earl of Liverpool [Statistics New Zealand: "New Zealand Official Yearbook, 1990". ISSN 0078-0170 page 52]

Government

The 19th New Zealand Parliament commenced, initially with the Reform Party in power, but in August a wartime coalition government was formed, with Liberal party leader Joseph Ward becoming finance minister.
*Speaker of the House - Frederic Lang (Reform Party)
*Prime Minister - William Massey (Reform Party)
*Minister of Finance - James Allen until 12th August, then Joseph Ward

Parliamentary opposition

* Leader of the Opposition - Joseph Ward (Liberal Party) Ward retained that title even though he became part of the coalition government. [Cite web|url=http://www.elections.org.nz/democracy/leaders-opposition.html|title=Elections NZ - Leaders of the Opposition|accessdate=2008-04-06]

Main centre leaders

*Mayor of Auckland - TBD
*Mayor of Hamilton - Arthur Edward Manning then John Edwin Hammond
*Mayor of Wellington - TBD
*Mayor of Christchurch - TBD
*Mayor of Dunedin - TBD

Events

* 1 January: First flight of the Walsh Brothers' Curtiss-type flying boat.Rendel, David (1975) "Civil Aviation in New Zealand: An Illustrated History". Wellington. A.H. & A.W.Reed. ISBN 0 589 00905 2] [http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/W/WalshLeoAustinAndWalshVivianClaude/WalshLeoAustinAndWalshVivianClaude/en Te ARa: Encyclopedia of New Zealand 1966 - Leo and Vivian Walsh] ] The flight takes place at Bastion Point and it is the first such aircraft built and flown in the Southern Hemisphere. [http://www.auckland-airport.co.nz/NewsHistory/aviators.php?walsh Auckland Airport: New Zealand Aviators - The Walsh Brothers Flying School] ]
* 14 February: The first contingent of 500 Māori soldiers sails for Egypt aboard "SS Wairrimoo". Earlier policy had been against 'native peoples' fighting in a European war. [ [http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/timeline&new_date=014/02 nzhistory.net.nz] ]
* 25 April: New Zealand troops participate in the landings at Gallipoli.
* October: The New Zealand Flying School is started by the Walsh Brothers at Orakei. It's primary purpose is to train pilots for the Royal Flying Corps.
* November: The New Zealand Flying School moves to Kohimarama.
* 20 December: The last New Zealand troops are evacuated from Gallipoli.

Undated

*The "Waikato Argus" merges into the "Waikato Times". The newspaper started in 1896. [cite web|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=CL1&sp=WT&essay=1|title=Waikato Times|publisher=National Library of New Zealand]

Arts and literature

See 1915 in art, 1915 in literature,

Music

See: 1915 in music

Film

See: , 1915 in film , List of New Zealand feature films , Cinema of New Zealand,

Appointments and awards

See: New Zealand Order of Merit , Order of New Zealand
*Archbishop of New Zealand
*Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia , see appointments to Diocese

port

* See: 1915 in sports ,

Rugby Union

* The Ranfurly Shield (held by Wellington) is not contested as interprovincial matches are cancelled due to the war.

Births

* 22 January: Tom Burtt, cricketer.
* 15 March: Fen Cresswell, cricketer.
* 28 March: Raymond Emery, cricketer.
* 4 June: Walter Hadlee, cricketer and cricket administrator.
* 1 November: Harry Lapwood, soldier and politician

* Allan Dick, politician.
* Duncan MacIntyre, politician.
* (in China): Geoff Moon, naturalist and photographer.
* Peter Tait, politician.
* Leonard Trent, RNZAF pilot and Victoria Cross winner.

Deaths

* 9 May: Anthony Wilding, Tennis champion, killed in action.

* John Duthie, politician and Mayor of Wellington.
* John A. Millar, politician.

ee also

*List of years in New Zealand
*Timeline of New Zealand history
*History of New Zealand
*Military history of New Zealand
*Timeline of environmental history of New Zealand
*Timeline of New Zealand's links with Antarctica

"For world events and topics in 1915 not specifically related to New Zealand see": 1915

References