The following lists events that happened during 1939 in New Zealand.
Population
Estimated population as of 31 December: 1,641,600. Increase since 31 December 1938: 23,300 (1.44%). Males per 100 females: 103.0.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal
Head of state – George VI
Governor-General – The Viscount Galway GCMG DSO OBE PC
Government
The 26th New Zealand Parliament continued with the Labour Party in government.
Speaker of the House – Bill Barnard (Labour Party) Prime Minister – Michael Joseph Savage Minister of Finance – Walter Nash Minister of Foreign Affairs – Michael Joseph Savage Attorney-General – Rex Mason Chief Justice – Sir Michael Myers
Parliamentary opposition
Leader of the Opposition – Adam Hamilton (National Party).
Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland – Ernest Davis
Mayor of Wellington – Thomas Hislop
Mayor of Christchurch – Robert Macfarlane
Mayor of Dunedin – Andrew Henson Allen
Events
29 January: (Sunday) Opening of St Peter's College, Auckland by Bishop J M Liston. 20 March: William Snodgrass, a New Zealand politician, disappeared from the interisland ferry Arahura while travelling overnight from Wellington to Nelson. 3 September (backdated to 9.30 pm): New Zealand declares war on Germany at the same time as Britain (though delayed until confirmation by the Admiralty message to the fleet). 31 October: The Strongman coal mine in Nine Mile Valley near Greymouth is officially opened by Minister of Mines, Paddy Webb. 8 November: New Zealand Centennial Exhibition opened in Kilbirnie, Wellington 13 December: New Zealand warship HMS Achilles fought in the Battle of the River Plate against German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee. 17 December: The Graf Spee is scuttled off Montevideo harbour. The Poverty Bay Herald changes its name to The Gisborne Herald, which continues to publish .
Arts and literature
See 1939 in art, 1939 in literature
Music
See: 1939 in music
Radio
See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand
Film
See: :Category:1939 film awards, 1939 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, :Category:1939 films
Sport
Athletics
Clarrie Gibbons wins the national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:44:56.2 on 11 March 1939 in Napier.
Basketball
A second interprovincial championship is held even though there is still no national association. (see 1938 and 1946) Interpovincial Champions: Men – Wellington
Chess
The 48th National Chess Championship was held in Wanganui, and was won by J.B. Dunlop of Dunedin (his 5th title).
Cricket
Horse racing
Harness racing
New Zealand Trotting Cup – Lucky Jack (2nd win) Auckland Trotting Cup – Marlene
Lawn bowls
The national outdoor lawn bowls championships are held in Auckland. Men's singles champion – W.C. Franks (Balmoral Bowling Club) Men's pair champions – J. Anchor, W.J. Robinson (skip) (Hamilton Bowling Club) Men's fours champions – C.F. Robertson, H. Franks, J.F. Benson, W.C. Franks (skip) (Balmoral Bowling Club)
Rugby union
:Category:Rugby union in New Zealand, :Category:All Blacks
Ranfurly Shield
Rugby league
New Zealand national rugby league team
Soccer
The Chatham Cup is won by Waterside of Wellington who beat Western of Christchurch 4–2 in the final. Provincial league champions: Auckland: Ponsonby AFC Canterbury: Western Hawke's Bay: Napier Utd Nelson: YMCA Otago: Mosgiel South Canterbury: Old Boys Southland: Mataura Waikato: Rotowaro Wanganui: Wanganui Athletic Wellington: Petone Football Club
Births
20 January: Ken Comber, politician. (died 1998) 27 February: Don McKinnon, deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand and Commonwealth Secretary-General. 10 April (in England): Michael Cox, politician. 24 April: Fergie McCormick, rugby union player. (died 2018) 16 September: Tony Davies, rugby union player. (died 2008) 23 September: Hugh Williams, High Court judge. 23 September: Pauline Stansfield, disability advocate. (died 2022) 25 September: David Walter, mayor of Stratford. (died 2020) 4 October: Ivan Mauger, motorcycle speedway champion. (died 2018) 29 October: Michael Smither, painter. 18 October: Peter Brown, politician. 24 November: Bob Jones, businessman. 27 December: Hugo Judd, diplomat and public servant (died 2017) Raymond Ching, painter. Philip Temple, writer.