2006 in New Zealand 4009325 219438925 2008-06-15T06:16:50Z Closedmouth 372693 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/222.154.189.54|222.154.189.54]] to last version by Gadfium (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) {{Year_in_NZ|2006}} ==Incumbents== ===Regal and Vice Regal=== *[[Head of State]] - [[Elizabeth II of New Zealand|Queen Elizabeth II]], [[Monarchy in New Zealand|Queen of New Zealand]] *[[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]] - [[Silvia Cartwright|Dame Silvia Cartwright]], succeeded by [[Anand Satyanand]] ===Government=== The [[48th New Zealand Parliament]] continued. Government was a coalition between [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] and the [[New Zealand Progressive Party|Progressives]], with [[United Future New Zealand|United Future]] and [[New Zealand First]] supporting supply votes. The leaders of the two support parties are ministers '''outside''' Cabinet. *[[Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]] - [[Margaret Wilson]] (Labour) *[[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]] - [[Helen Clark]] (Labour) *[[Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand|Deputy Prime Minister]] - [[Michael Cullen]] (Labour) *[[Minister of Finance (New Zealand)|Minister of Finance]] - [[Michael Cullen]] (Labour) Non-Labour Ministers *[[Jim Anderton]] (Progressives) (within Cabinet) *[[Winston Peters]] (New Zealand First) - [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (New Zealand)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]], Racing and Associate Minister of Senior Citizens (outside Cabinet) *[[Peter Dunne]] (United Future), [[Minister of Revenue (New Zealand)|Minister of Revenue]] and Associate Minister of Health (outside Cabinet) ===Parliamentary Leaders=== *[[New Zealand National Party|National]] (opposition) - [[Don Brash]] until [[27 November]], then [[John Key]] ([[Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)|Leader of the Opposition]]) *[[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Greens]] (opposition) - [[Jeanette Fitzsimons]] and [[Russel Norman]] *[[ACT New Zealand|Act]] (opposition) - [[Rodney Hide]] *[[New Zealand First]] - [[Winston Peters]] *[[United Future New Zealand|United Future]] - [[Peter Dunne]] *[[Māori Party]] (opposition) - [[Tariana Turia]] and [[Pita Sharples]] ===Main centre leaders=== *[[Mayor of Auckland]] - [[Dick Hubbard]] *[[Mayor of Hamilton, New Zealand|Mayor of Hamilton]] - [[Michael Redman (New Zealand)|Michael Redman]] *[[Mayor of Wellington]] - [[Kerry Prendergast]] *[[Mayor of Christchurch]] - [[Gary Moore (New Zealand)|Gary Moore]] *[[Mayor of Dunedin]] - [[Peter Chin (mayor)|Peter Chin]] == Events == ===January=== *[[January 1]]: Changes to [[New Zealand nationality law|New Zealand citizenship laws]] mean not all babies born in New Zealand have a right to be citizens. Babies must have a parent who is a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or its dependencies. [http://www.tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411749/644325 (TVNZ)] *[[January 2]]: New Zealand's warm sunny New Year weather has come to a sudden end as gale-force winds and rain assault southern New Zealand. [[n:New Zealand's South Island and southern North Island struck by storms|(Wikinews)]] *[[January 7]]:The New Zealand [[Māori King Movement|Māori Queen]], [[Te Atairangi Kaahu|Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu]], is undergoing [[dialysis]] treatment, the [[Tainui|Tainui Tribe]] confirmed today. The Queen's condition is not believed to be critical. [[n:Māori Queen on dialysis|(Wikinews)]] *[[January 9]]: Electricity generator and retailer [[TrustPower]] announces that it is considering a [[wind farm]] development at [[Lake Mahinerangi]], south of Dunedin. [[n:Trustpower plans to build new windfarm in New Zealand|(Wikinews)]] *[[January 13]]: [[Winston Peters]] says there is no travel warning for New Zealanders visiting [[Fiji]], although Australia has issued one, after [[Military unrest in Fiji, December 2005 - January 2006|the Fijian military commander threatened to remove the Government]]. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10363545 (New Zealand Herald)] *[[January 14]]:The Government announces a review of liquor advertising amidst concern over teenage [[binge drinking]]. The review will consider regulating sponsorship of sport by alcohol companies. [[Lion Nathan]] says there is no need for change. [http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/bulletins/radionz/200601141551/3ac866b1 (Radio New Zealand)] [http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3540609a10,00.html (Stuff)] *[[January 15]]: Review of [[David Lange]]'s documents show that the United States threatened to spy on New Zealand if it did not back down from its 1980s anti-nuclear legislation. [http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3541021a10,00.html (Stuff)] *[[January 21]]:A [[Wellington]] sperm bank refuses to accept a donation from a [[Gay rights in New Zealand|gay man]], apparently to minimise the risk of [[HIV]] transmission. [http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3546828a10,00.html (Stuff)] ===February=== *[[February 1]]: [[Don Brash]], the leader of the [[New Zealand National Party]] gave his third state of the nation speech to the Orewa Rotary Club where he focused on the economy. [[n:Don Brash gives third Orewa speech|Wikinews]] *[[February 4]]:Two Fairfax-owned newspapers, [[The Dominion Post]] and [[The Press|The Christchurch Press]], controversially published all 12 cartoons in the [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy]], which have triggered international outrage. *[[February 5]]: Hundreds of NZ [[Muslims]] march in downtown [[Auckland]] in protest to the publication of the [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy]]. [[n:New Zealand newspapers publish "Mohammad Cartoons"|Wikinews]] *[[February 5]]: NZ film director [[Lee Tamahori]] is arrested and formally charged with [[soliciting]] and unlawfully loitering on [[Hollywood|Hollywood's]] [[Santa Monica Boulevard]], while dressed in [[Drag (clothing)|drag]]. *[[February 5]]: An [[earthquake]] measuring 4.4 on the [[Richter magnitude scale|Richter scale]] hit [[Hawke's Bay]] at 1.29pm, originating 30 km southeast of [[Dannevirke]]. There was no reported damage. *[[February 6]]: The 166th anniversary of the signing of the [[Treaty of Waitangi]], New Zealand's founding document, in 1840. This year the celebrations were peaceful, in contrast to other years where the day was the focus of protest by [[Māori]] activists. [[n:New Zealand marks Waitangi Day, 2006|Wikinews]] *[[February 11]]: [[Politics of Tokelau|Tokelau]] began voting in a referendum to determine whether it remains a New Zealand territory, or becomes a state in [[associated state|free association with New Zealand]]. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10367667 (NZ Herald)] *[[February 12]]: The [[Royal New Zealand Navy]]'s new 9000-tonne Multi-Role Vessel was launched in [[Rotterdam]]. The MRV is the largest of seven new ships ordered as part of "Project Protector". [http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_004915.php] *[[February 14]]: Fisheries Minister [[Jim Anderton]] announced that a draft agreement had been reached with fishing companies to ban [[bottom trawling]] in 30 percent of New Zealand's [[exclusive economic zone]]. Anderton promised to support a global ban on bottom trawling if that appeared a practical option. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10368258 (NZ Herald)] *[[February 16]]: New Zealand [[all-rounder]] [[Chris Cairns]], [[New Zealand Order of Merit|ONZM]] played his final international [[cricket]] match against the [[West Indian cricket team|West Indies]] in a [[Twenty20]] at [[Auckland]]'s [[Eden Park]]. [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/nzvwi/content/current/story/237360.html (Cricinfo)] *[[February 16]]: [[Tokelau]] decides to remain a New Zealand territory after a [[Tokelau self-determination referendum, 2006|referendum on independence]]. A 60 percent majority voted in favor of independence, but a two-thirds majority was required for the referendum to succeed. [http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=24941 (NZ Government press release)] *[[February 20]]: [[Air New Zealand]] is set to lay off another 507 workers as it outsources its wide-body aircraft maintenance. A union proposal to save some of the jobs failed to win a worker vote. [http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/bulletins/radionz/200602201649/af93af2 (Radio NZ)] *[[February 22]]: [[C4 (New Zealand)|C4]] aired the controversial ''[[South Park]]'' episode ''[[Bloody Mary (South Park)|Bloody Mary]]'', which portrays a statue of the [[Virgin Mary]] [[menstruation|menstruating]], despite protests from religious groups. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10369513 (NZ Herald)] *[[February 23]]: [[Air New Zealand]] workers accepted a new employment package in a new vote. About 300 wide-body aircraft maintenance jobs will be saved in Auckland, although 200 will still be made redundant. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10369829 (NZ Herald)] *[[February 24]]:[[Air New Zealand]] announced that 470 corporate jobs, mostly in Auckland are to be axed over the next year. [http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=90369 (News Talk ZB)] ===March=== *[[March 6]]: [[New Zealand Department of Child, Youth and Family Services|Child Youth and Family]] is to merge with the Ministry of Social Development. [http://radionz.co.nz/news/bulletins/radionz/200603061830/370bc832 (Radio NZ)] *[[March 6]]: [[John Fairfax Holdings|Fairfax]] purchases the New Zealand online auction site [[Trade Me]] for NZ$625 million. [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0603/S00071.htm (Scoop)] *[[7 March]]: The [[New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings]] is held. For the first time, respondents had the option of completing their census form via the internet rather than by a printed form. *[[March 15]]: The [[2006 Commonwealth Games]] opens in [[Melbourne]]. New Zealand [[New Zealand at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|is represented by 255 athletes]], its largest team ever to a Commonwealth Games. *[[March 17]]: [[New Zealand Department of Conservation|DoC]] starts an emergency evacuation of [[Raoul Island]] after one of the island's volcanos erupts. One person is missing. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10373133 (NZ Herald)] *[[March 17]]: A report on [[Auckland]] traffic congestion suggests charges of $3-$6 for a vehicle to enter the Auckland isthmus, or a $10 surcharge on all parking in the [[Central business district|CBD]]. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=00072499-DEAB-1419-92A383027AF1010F (NZ Herald)] *[[March 20]]: '''[[David Parker (New Zealand)|David Parker]]''' resigns as [[Attorney-General (New Zealand)|Attorney-General]] after publicity about an incorrect declaration he filed with the Companies Office. The following day he resigned from [[New Zealand Cabinet|Cabinet]]. *[[March 25]]: Restaurant Brands, the franchise holder for [[Kentucky Fried Chicken|KFC]], [[Pizza Hut]] and [[Starbucks]], have agreed to phase out youth rates. [[BP]] agreed to scrap youth rates earlier. *[[March 26]]: In the [[2006 Commonwealth Games]], '''[[New Zealand at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|New Zealand]]''' wins 31 medals, which puts it in [[2006 Commonwealth Games medal count|9th place]]. This is New Zealand's worst performance at a Commonwealth Games since 1982. *[[March 28]]: Farmers are unhappy with the new law that all dogs first registered after [[1 July]] [[2006]] must be '''[[Microchip implant (animal)|microchipped]]'''. They want [[Herding dog|farm dogs]] to be exempt, and have drawn a parallel to the [[Dog Tax War]] of 1898. *[[March 29]]: New Zealand's first reported case of [[Automated teller machine|ATM]] [[Credit card fraud#Skimming|Card Skimming]] was found at [[Bank of New Zealand|BNZ]] [[New Lynn, New Zealand|New Lynn]]. *[[March 31]]: Assistant police commissioner Clinton Rickards and two former police officers are found not guilty of the '''[[New Zealand Police#Historic sexual misconduct|alleged rape and sexual abuse of Louise Nicholas]]''' in [[Rotorua]] in the 1980s. ===April=== *[[April 1]]: It was today announced Judge [[Anand Satyanand]] has been appointed to succeed Dame [[Silvia Cartwright]] as as [[Elizabeth II of New Zealand|HM the Queen's]] [[Governor-General of New Zealand]], He will take up office on August 4th. *[[April 2]]: The Auckland City Council wins a [[Pigasus Award]] for granting $2500 to the Foundation For Spiritualist Mediums "to teach people to communicate with the dead". *[[April 3]]: Judge '''[[Anand Satyanand]]''' has been appointed to succeed Dame [[Silvia Cartwright]] as [[Elizabeth II of New Zealand|HM the Queen's]] [[Governor-General of New Zealand]]. He will take up office on [[August 4]] [[2006]]. *[[April 6]]: The [[New Zealand Parliament]] passes an act making '''[[New Zealand Sign Language]]''' the third official language of New Zealand, alongside [[English language|English]] and [[Māori language|Māori]]. *[[April 6]]: [[Helen Clark]] and Chinese Premier [[Wen Jiabao]] meet in [[Wellington]] and agree to aim for a [[Free Trade Agreement]] between New Zealand and [[People's Republic of China|China]] within two years. *[[April 7]]: Following acquittal of three men in the '''[[New Zealand Police#Historic sexual misconduct|Louise Nicholas rape trial]]''', pamphlets and emails about two of the defendants are widely circulated in defiance of previous court suppression orders. *[[April 10]]: '''[[Auckland]]''' rises to 5th place behind [[Zurich]] and [[Geneva]] in a survey of the world's top 55 cities for quality of life. [[Wellington]] places 12th. *[[April 19]]: The [[New Zealand Government]] is to send reinforcements to the [[Solomon Islands]] to support [[RAMSI]] following an outbreak of violence after the election of '''[[Snyder Rini]]''' as the new Prime Minister yesterday. *[[April 26]]: '''[[David Parker (New Zealand)|David Parker]]''' is cleared of any misconduct by the Companies Office. He was granted an exemption in 1999 from the rules he had fallen foul of. He is likely to be reinstated to the [[New Zealand Cabinet|Cabinet]] next week. *[[April 27]]:The Electricity Commission has rejected [[Transpower New Zealand Limited|Transpower]]'s plan to build a line of power pylons from [[Auckland]] to [[Whakamaru]]. The plan had drawn protests from landowners along the route. *[[April 30]]: Following acquittal of three men in the '''[[New Zealand Police#Historic sexual misconduct|Louise Nicholas rape trial]]''', several hundred people marched up Queen Street, in support of Louise Nicholas. ===May=== *[[May 1]]: Troubles continue at [[TVNZ]], with leaked emails from Craig Boyce to [[Ian Fraser (broadcaster)|Ian Fraser]], referring to the [[New Zealand Parliament|Parliamentary select committee]] as "the bastards are our enemy".<!--http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200605011750/2048bbcd--> *[[May 3]]: The [[New Zealand Government]] announces that it will require '''[[Telecom New Zealand|Telecom]]''' to unbundle the [[local loop]] to provide "access to fast, competitively priced broadband internet". *[[May 13]]: A trawler sinks in '''[[Foveaux Strait]]''' on the way back from [[Sooty Shearwater|muttonbird]]ing. Of the nine people on board, including three generations of one family, only three survive. *[[May 15]]: After 40 days of climbing, New Zealander [[Mark Inglis]] became the first double amputee to reach the summit of [[Mount Everest]], the tallest mountain in the world. *[[May 16]]: Michael Ryan, a messenger for the Department of [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]] and [[New Zealand Cabinet|Cabinet]] is named as the government employee who leaked the information to [[Telecom New Zealand|Telecom]] that the government is planning to "unbundle the [[local loop]]". *[[May 17]]: An attempt by the [[New Zealand Green Party|Green Party]] to repeal part of a controversial dog microchipping law was voted down 61-60. *[[May 18]]: [[Minister of Finance (New Zealand)|Finance Minister]] [[Michael Cullen]] delivers the [[2006 New Zealand budget|2006 Budget]]. *[[May 24]]: The week-long festivities celebrating the 40th anniversary of the [[Māori King Movement|Māori Queen]]'s coronation have ended. *[[Mar 25]]: The three men acquitted of rape in the '''[[New Zealand Police#Historic sexual misconduct|Louise Nicholas trial]]''' now face a new trial for alleged sexual offences against another woman in the mid 1980s. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10383514 (NZ Herald)] ===June=== {{*mp}}[[June 3]]: The '''[[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green Party]]''' elects [[Russel Norman]] as its co-leader to replace [[Rod Donald]]. {{*mp}}[[June 6]]: The trial of '''[[Tim Selwyn]]''' for [[sedition]] begins in [[Auckland]]. Selwyn is the first New Zealander in over 80 years to be charged with sedition. {{*mp}}[[June 7]]: The [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council|Privy Council]] agrees to hear '''[[David Bain]]''''s appeal against his conviction for the murder of his family. *[[June 8]]: '''[[Tim Selwyn]]''' is found guilty of [[sedition]]. *[[June 8]]: New Zealand has won hosting rights for the 2010 '''[[World Rowing Championships]]''', which will be held at [[Lake Karapiro]]. *[[June 10]]: The family of '''[[Richard Seddon]]''' remember his death 100 years ago. *[[June 10]]: A [[Yemeni]] man, linked to the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]] in the [[United States]], has been deported from New Zealand. It is only the second time that section 72 of the Immigration Act has been used to deport someone. Its use requires the consent of the [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]], and there is no right of [[appeal]]. *[[June 12]]: A [[Power outage|blackout]] hits [[Auckland]], lasting for several hours and affecting an estimated 700,000 people. The cause was found to be an earth wire which snapped off in high winds and fell across high-voltage transmission lines at a substation. * A severe storm lashed the country, bringing heavy snow to Otago and Canterbury Some small communities lose power for up to 12 days after the storm. *[[June 15]]: A [[free-to-air]] [[digital television]] service called '''[[Freeview (New Zealand)|Freeview]]''' will be launched in 2007. All viewers will require a [[set-top box]], and some will need a [[satellite dish]]. *[[June 15]]: Junior doctors begin a five-day strike over working hours and conditions. Hospitals defer non-urgent surgery and outpatient treatments. *[[June 16]]: The [[Varroa destructor|Varroa bee mite]] has been found near [[Stoke, New Zealand|Stoke]]. The mite arrived in New Zealand in 2000 and has been confined to the [[North Island]] until now. *[[18 June]]: The deaths of three month old twins [[Chris and Cru Kahui]] as a result of abuse injuries shocks the nation and dominates headlines for months. *[[June 21]]: [[Working dog]]s have been exempted from the dog '''[[Microchip implant (animal)|microchipping]]''' legislation currently before [[New Zealand Parliament|Parliament]]. *[[June 27]]: '''[[Telecom New Zealand|Telecom]]''' announces it will voluntarily separate its business into two operating entities - Wholesale and Retail. <!--[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10388566 (NZ Herald)]--> *[[June 29]]: Development of the Kupe gas and oil field off the [[Taranaki]] coast will go ahead, with production beginning in 2009. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10388906 (NZ Herald)] --> *[[June 30]]: [[Tame Iti]] is sentenced to pay [[NZD|$]]300 and court costs for shooting the [[New Zealand Flag]]. ===July=== *[[July 2]]: The Intellectual Property Office has turned down an application by [[Ngāti Toa]] to trademark Ka Mate, the [[Haka of the All Blacks|haka]] used by the [[All Blacks]]. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10389347 (NZ Herald)] --> *[[July 3]]: Police Minister [[Annette King]] and Police Commissioner Howard Broad both deny that [[New Zealand Police]] have quotas for speeding tickets after a memo about such quotas is leaked. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10389464 (NZ Herald)] --> *[[July 4]]:An [[Italy|Italian]] [[Fiat]] advert draws criticism from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for having [[women]] perform the [[haka]].<!----http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/New_Zealand_diplomats:_Fiat_using_Māori_haka_in_television_ad_is_insensitive----> *[[July 10]]: [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] List MP '''[[Jim Sutton]]''' announces he is leaving politics on [[1 August]] [[2006]]. He will be replaced by the next member of the Labour Party list, '''[[Charles Chauvel (politician)|Charles Chauvel]]'''. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10390592 (NZ Herald)] --> {{*mp}}[[July 11]]: [[Te Atairangi Kaahu]], the [[Māori King Movement|Māori Queen]], is taken to Waikato Hospital's intensive care unit after a possible heart attack and kidney failure. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=000CC822-9981-14B3-8D2A83027AF1010E (NZ Herald)] --> {{*mp}}[[July 18]]: '''[[Tim Selwyn]]''' is sentenced to 2 months imprisonment for [[sedition]] in [[Auckland]]. He is also sentenced to a further 15 months for other offenses.<!---http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10391812---> {{*mp}}[[July 18]]: Former [[New Zealand Cabinet|Cabinet Minister]] '''[[Taito Phillip Field]]''' is cleared of any conflict of interest by an inquiry into allegations he had used his position for material gain, but his judgement was criticised. <!--http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=000C3FD7-316B-14BC-9DE583027AF1010F (NZ Herald)]--> {{*mp}}[[July 25]]: The '''[[Overlander (train)|Overlander]]''' rail passenger service will be withdrawn at the end of September, thus ending the last passenger service operating between [[Auckland]] and [[Wellington]]. <!--[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=296&objectid=10393040 (NZ Herald)]--> {{*mp}} [[July 31]]: '''[[New Zealand dollar#Upcoming Changes|New Zealand silver coins]]''' are changed to become smaller and lighter ===August=== {{*mp}} [[August 10]]: '''[[Origin Pacific Airways]]''' suspends passenger operations and lays off most of its staff. Freight operations will continue. <!-- http://www.nzherald.co.nz/organisation/story.cfm?o_id=145&ObjectID=10395666 --> {{*mp}} [[August 15]]: [[Māori King Movement|Māori Queen]] Dame '''[[Te Atairangi Kaahu]]''' dies after a long illness. {{*mp}} [[August 19]]: The [[All Blacks]] win the '''[[2006 Tri Nations Series|2006 rugby union Tri Nations series]]'''. <!-- [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=aWY6fB3_zDc4 (Bloomberg)] --> {{*mp}} [[August 21]]: '''[[Tuheitia Paki]]''', the eldest son of Dame [[Te Atairangikaahu]], is selected as the new [[Māori King Movement|Māori King]]. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10397245 (NZ Herald)] --> {{*mp}} [[August 23]]: '''[[Anand Satyanand]]''' is sworn in as the new [[Governor-General of New Zealand]]. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10397673 (NZ Herald)] --> * [[August 25]] An industrial [[2006 Progressive Enterprises dispute|dispute]] between supermarket company [[Progressive Enterprises]] and employees in the [[EPMU]] and [[National Distribution Union|NDU]] begins and lasts until [[September 21]] {{*mp}} [[August 28]]: [[Helen Clark]] suggests that '''[[Taito Phillip Field]]''' should reconsider his future as an MP, after fresh allegations are made against him. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10398423 (NZ Herald)] --> ===September=== {{*mp}} [[September 2]]: [[Natural gas]] supplies were cut to about 1000 central [[Wellington]] businesses for four days, after water entered [[Powerco]]'s gas mains. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10399392 (NZ Herald)] --> {{*mp}} [[September 7]]: Four mayors in the [[Auckland Region]] meet with [[Helen Clark]] to discuss the possibility of amalgamating their city councils to a single body. <!-- [http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411749/827037 (TVNZ)] --> {{*mp}} [[September 10]]: Tonga's King [[Taufa'ahau Tupou IV]] dies in [[Auckland]]. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10396530] --> {{*mp}} [[September 13]]: '''[[Don Brash]]''' takes leave to sort out marital problems amidst rumours he had an affair. <!-- [http://www.newswire.co.nz/main/viewstory.aspx?storyid=336314&catid=3011 (Newswire)] --> {{*mp}} [[September 14]]: [[Stephen Tindall]] announces his intention of buying out the other shareholders in the retail chain he founded, '''[[The Warehouse Group|The Warehouse]]'''. Tindall currently has a controlling share in the company. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=3&ObjectID=10401320 (NZ Herald)] --> {{*mp}} [[September 18]]: The [[Helen Clark|Prime Minister]]'s husband '''[[Peter Davis (New Zealand)|Peter Davis]]''' is accused of being gay, after a picture is published of him kissing another man. Both Davis and Clark deny the claim; the picture later turns out to be a still from election night coverage.[http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20435121-401,00.html (news.com.au)] {{*mp}} [[September 21]]: The '''[[2006 Progressive Enterprises dispute|dispute]]''' between supermarket company [[Progressive Enterprises]] and over 500 employees is resolved after 28 days. <!-- [http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/833410 (TVNZ)] --> {{*mp}} [[September 25]]: Shares in carpet maker Feltex are suspended on the [[New Zealand Exchange]] after the company is placed in receivership on [[September 22]]. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/organisation/story.cfm?o_id=61&ObjectID=10402843 (NZ Herald)] --> {{*mp}} [[September 26]]: '''[[Brian Connell]]''' is suspended from the [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]] caucus. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10403013 (NZ Herald)] --> {{*mp}} [[September 27]]: [[Bacardi]] offers NZ$138 million to buy the New Zealand alcoholic drink company '''[[Pacific Dawn|42 Below]]'''. <!-- [http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200609271737/bacardi_offers_$nz138m_for_42_below (Radio NZ)] --> <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10403256 (NZ Herald)] --> {{*mp}} [[September 28]]: [[Dunedin]]'s '''[[Logan Park High School]]''' is threatened by a large forest fire in a plantation bordering the school. <!-- [http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411368/837425 (TVNZ) --> {{*mp}} [[September 28]]: The '''[[Overlander (train)|Overlander]]''' train between Auckland and Wellington, due to be withdrawn at the end of the month, is to continue, but on a reduced schedule. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10403445 (NZ Herald)] --> {{*mp}} [[September 29]]: The '''[[Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand]]''' votes to confirm a ban on people in de facto or gay relationships from becoming leaders in the Church. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10403583 (NZ Herald)] --> {{*mp}} [[September 30]]: The New Zealand Government apologises to the '''[[Te Arawa]]''' [[iwi]] over [[Treaty of Waitangi claims and settlements|Treaty of Waitangi grievances]], and returns 500 square kilometres of Crown land and 19 areas of special significance to it. <!-- [http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200609301802/political_and_historic_significance_for_te_arawa_settlement (Radio NZ)] --> ===October=== {{*mp}} [[October 1]]: The [[Wearable Art]] Parade is held in central [[Wellington]]. <!-- [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00448.htm (Stuff)] --> {{*mp}} [[October 3]]: The [[Christian Heritage New Zealand|Christian Heritage Party]] announces that it is disbanding. <!-- http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10404090 --> {{*mp}} [[October 8]]: [[New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries|Fisheries]] officers' request to be allowed to carry [[Club (weapon)|baton]]s and [[pepper spray]] is denied by Minister [[Jim Anderton]]. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10404904 (NZ Herald)] --> * [[26 October]]: The father of [[Chris and Cru Kahui]] is charged with their murder in June ===November=== * 11 November: New Zealand War Memorial opened in [[Hyde Park, London]] * Icebergs are sighted within 100 km of the New Zealand coastline. * [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]] leader [[Don Brash]] resigns. * [[John Key]] appointed leader of the National Party, with [[Bill English]] as deputy. ===December=== {{*mp}} [[4 December]]: The Copyright (New Technologies and Performers' Rights) Amendment Bill, is introduced to update copyright laws due to the development and adoption of new technologies. {{*mp}} [[16 December]]: Three children are killed when a cliff collapses on them at a riverside picnic ground in the Manawatu region. {{*mp}} [[December 16]]: Nine experienced New Zealand firefighters are injured, one seriously, as they fought '''[[2006-07 Australian bushfire season|Bushfires]]''' in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]. <!--http://www.stuff.co.nz/3902753a10.html--> {{*mp}} [[December 22]]: The Government announces changes to the regulations governing the sale of consumer [[fireworks]]. Sales will now be restricted to 3 (previously 10) days of the yeear - November 3-5 and the age limit for purchase has been raised from 16 to 18. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10416565 (NZ Herald)] --> {{*mp}} [[December 28]] - The contentious Wellington Inner city bypass opens <!-- http://www.transit.govt.nz/news/MediaReleaseView.do?MediaReleaseId=nz.govt.transit.transweb.content.news.MediaRelease-11095 --> {{*mp}} [[December 31]]: The 2006 '''[[road toll]]''' provisionally stands at 387, the lowest figure since [[1963 in New Zealand|1963]] <!-- http://tv3.co.nz/News/NationalNews/tabid/184/articleID/17742/Default.aspx --> *See also [[Current events in Oceania]] ==Arts and literature== ===New Books=== ===Awards=== *[[Catherine Chidgey]] and [[Dianne Ruth Pettis]] win the [[Robert Burns Fellowship]]. ===Music=== *[[New Zealand Music Awards]] Winners **Album Of The Year: [[Bic Runga]] - Birds **Single Of The Year: [[Pluto (New Zealand band)|Pluto]] – Long White Cross **Best Group: [[Elemeno P]] – Trouble In Paradise **Best Male Solo Artist: [[Dave Dobbyn]] – Available Light **Best Female Solo Artist: [[Bic Runga]] - Birds **Breakthrough Artist Of The Year: [[Bleeders]] – Sweet As Sin **Highest Selling Nz Album: [[Fat Freddy’s Drop]] – Based On A True Story **Highest Selling Nz Single: [[Rosita Vai]] – All I Ask **Radio Airplay Record Of The Year: [[The Feelers]] – Stand Up **Best Rock Album: [[Bleeders]] – Sweet As Sin **Best Urban / Hip Hop Album: [[Frontline]] – Borrowed Time **Best Dance / Electronica Album: [[Concord Dawn]] – Chaos By Design **Best Aotearoa Roots Album: [[Fly My Pretties]] – The Return Of Fly My Pretties **Best Music Video: [[Mark Williams]] – Wandering Eye (Fat Freddy’S Drop) **Peoples Choice Award: [[Fat Freddy’s Drop]] **Best Producer: [[Bic Runga]] - Birds **Best Engineer: Andre Upston – Birds ([[Bic Runga]]) **Best Album Cover: [[Chris Knox]] – Sweet As Sin ([[Bleeders]]) **Best Classical Album: [[Tower Voices New Zealand]] – Spirit Of The Land **Best Maori Album: [[Te Reotakiwa Dunn]] – Te Reotakiwa Dunn **Best Gospel / Christian Album: [[Juliagrace]] - Juliagrace **Best Country Music Album: Shane Warner - Absolutely **Best Pacific Music Album: Mt Vaea Band - Mama **Best Folk Album: Lorina Harding - Clean Break **Outstanding Contribution To The Growth Of NZ Music On Radio: David Innes **Best Jazz Album: The Vaughn Roberts Big Band – Grrreat Stufff! ===Television=== *[[February 8]]: [[SKY Network Television]] purchases [[Prime Television New Zealand|Prime]]. SKY broadcasts delayed sports events for the first time on Prime. {{*mp}} [[December 4]]: [[Susan Wood (New Zealand)|Susan Wood]] resigns as a presenter for [[Television New Zealand]] due to continuing health concerns. <!-- [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10413740 (NZ Herald)] --> ===Film=== *[[No. 2 (film)|No. 2]] *[[Perfect Creature]] *[[Sione's Wedding]] *[[Out of the Blue (2006 film)|Out of the Blue]] ===Internet=== * March - the sale of New Zealand's busiest web site, [[Trademe|Trade Me]] Ltd. to the [[John Fairfax Holdings|Fairfax]] group for $NZ700 million is announced. * October - [[Vodafone New Zealand]] purchases ISP [[ihug]] for NZ$41 million from [[iiNet]]. ==Sport== ===Athletics=== *[[Dale Warrender]] wins his second national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:17:43 on [[October 29]] in [[Auckland]], while [[Tracey Clissold]] claims her second as well in the women's championship (2:50:47). ===[[Basketball]]=== * [[New Zealand Women’s National Basketball League|Women’s National Basketball League]] was won by Auckland, who beat North Harbour 75-74 in the final. * [[National Basketball League (New Zealand)|National Basketball League]] was won by the [[Hawkes Bay Hawks]], who beat the [[Auckland Stars]] 84-69 ===[[Commonwealth Games]]=== * The largest New Zealand team ever sent to a Commonwealth Games went to the 2006 Games at Melbourne, but did not do as well as expected, recording the worst result since 1982. See [[New Zealand at the 2006 Commonwealth Games]]. ===[[Cricket]]=== * The [[New Zealand cricket team|Black Caps]] defeat the [[West Indian cricket team|West Indies]] 4-1 in a series of [[One-day cricket|One-day Internationals]] during February. ===[[Mountain Biking]]=== * August - [[UCI Mountain Bike World Cup]] is held in Rotorua [http://www.2006rotoruamtb.com/english/] ===[[Olympic Games]]=== * New Zealand sent [[New Zealand at the 2006 Winter Olympics|18 athletes]] to the [[2006 Winter Olympics]] in [[Turin]], [[Italy]], its largest team to a Winter Olympics. The most successful competitor was [[Ben Sandford]], who was tenth in the [[Skeleton at the 2006 Winter Olympics|Men's Skeleton]] ===Rugby league=== * [[Bartercard Cup]] won by the [[Auckland Lions]] ===Rugby union=== * New Zealand(All Blacks) retained the Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup. Only losing one match to South Africa. * North Harbour wins the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury 21-17 at Jade Stadium * The All Blacks convincingly won all four tests in their end-of-season tour of England, France and Wales. ===[[sport rowing|Rowing]]=== * [[Mahe Drysdale]] defends his gold medal at the World Campionships in August ==Births== ==Deaths== *[[4 January]]: '''[[Robert Howard White]]''', politician. *[[19 January]]: '''[[Geoff Rabone]]''', cricketer. * [[1 February]]: '''[[Bryce Harland]]''', diplomat. *[[2 March]]: '''[[Peter Snow (doctor)|Peter Snow]]''', doctor who discovered "Tapanui flu". *[[8 March]]: '''Sir [[Brian Barratt-Boyes]]''', pioneering heart surgeon. *[[23 April]]: '''[[Johnny Checketts]]''', WWII flying ace. *[[30 May]]: '''[[David Lloyd (botanist)|David Lloyd]]''', botanist. *[[11 June]]: '''[[Neroli Fairhall]]''', Olympic archer. *[[7 July]]: '''[[John Money]]''', psychologist and sexologist. *[[15 August]]: '''[[Te Atairangi Kaahu]]''', the [[Māori King Movement|Māori Queen]]. *[[30 August]]: '''[[Robin Cooke, Baron Cooke of Thorndon|Lord Cooke of Thorndon]]''', jurist. *[[19 September]]: '''[[Hugh Kawharu]]''', [[Māori]] academic and [[Ngāti Whātua]] leader. *[[29 September]]: '''[[Walter Hadlee]]''', cricketer. *[[8 October]]: '''[[Mark Porter (driver)|Mark Porter]]''', [[V8 Supercar]] driver. * [[6 December]]: '''[[John Feeney]]''', documentary film director. ==See 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 2006 not specifically related to New Zealand see'': [[2006]] [[Category:2006 in New Zealand| ]]