The following lists events that happened during 1997 in New Zealand.

Population

Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

Government

The 45th New Zealand Parliament continued. Government was The National Party, led by Jim Bolger, in coalition with New Zealand First, led by Winston Peters.

Parliamentary leaders

Main centre leaders

Events

Arts and literature

See 1997 in art, 1997 in literature, Category:1997 books

Music

New Zealand Music Awards

Winners are shown first with nominees underneath. See: 1997 in music

Performing arts

Radio and television

See: 1997 in New Zealand television, 1997 in television, List of TVNZ television programming, Category:Television in New Zealand, TV3 (New Zealand), Category:New Zealand television shows, Public broadcasting in New Zealand

Film

See: Category:1997 film awards, 1997 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, Category:1997 films

Internet

See: NZ Internet History

Sport

Athletics

Basketball

Cricket

Golf

Horse racing

Harness racing

Thoroughbred racing

Netball

Rugby league

Rugby union

Shooting

Soccer

Births

January–February

March–April

May–June

July–August

September–October

November–December

Deaths

January–March

April–June

July–September

October–December