The following lists events that happened during 1912 in New Zealand. The 1911 General Election, the first contested by the Reform Party, left parliament in an indeterminate state, with Reform holding 38 seats, Liberal 36, Labour 1 and with 5 independents. Liberal, who had been in government for the past 21 years, claimed that Reform did not have a mandate, since many of their seats were the smaller rural electorates, and the Liberals proceeded to form a government under Joseph Ward as per the previous two parliaments. Such were the loyalties of the independent members that votes were often deadlocked and dependent upon the casting vote of the Speaker. As a result, Joseph Ward resigned on 28 March, to be succeeded by agriculture minister Thomas Mackenzie. However, the government was defeated on the next occasion that parliament met, and the first Reform Government was formed under William Massey in July.

Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

Government

Parliamentary opposition

Leader of the Opposition - William Massey (Reform Party) until 10 July. The Liberal opposition had no recognised leader until the following year.

Main centre leaders

Events

Undated

Arts and literature

See 1912 in art, 1912 in literature

Music

See: 1912 in music

Film

See: The River Wanganui and Méliès' Star Film Company; 1912 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, Category:1912 films.

Sport

Chess

Golf

Men's

Women's

Horse racing

Harness racing

Olympic Games

Rugby union

Soccer

Provincial league champions:

Swimming

Tennis

Births

Deaths