The following lists events that happened during 1926 in New Zealand.
Population
The 1926 New Zealand census is held on 20 April.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal
Head of State – George V
Governor-General – Sir Charles Fergusson
Government
The 22nd New Zealand Parliament continues with the Reform Party governing.
Speaker of the House – Charles Statham
Prime Minister – Gordon Coates
Minister of Finance – William Nosworthy until 24 May, then William Downie Stewart Minister of External Affairs – Francis Bell until 18 January, then from 24 May William Nosworthy
Parliamentary opposition
Leader of the Opposition – vacant until 26 June, then Harry Holland (Labour Party)
Judiciary
Chief Justice – Sir Robert Stout, then Charles Skerrett from 1 February
Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland – George Baildon
Mayor of Wellington – Charles Norwood
Mayor of Christchurch – John Archer
Mayor of Dunedin – Harold Tapley
Events
15 April – The Eden by-election is won by Rex Mason (Labour). As a result, Labour became the dominant party in opposition, with 12 seats compared to the Liberals' 11. 15 November – The Balfour Declaration asserts the right of New Zealand and other dominions to exist as independent countries 3 December – Nine miners die in an explosion in the Dobson coal mine near Brunner Undated Writer and adventurer Zane Grey first visits New Zealand, helping to popularise big-game fishing Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is established Pavlova reportedly created by a Wellington hotel chef in honour of the visit of Anna Pavlova Ash eruption of Red Crater, Mount Tongariro Leonard Cockayne publishes the first part of Monograph on New Zealand beech forests, which argues that the forests could be managed with a rotation of 80–120 years, but warns about overgrazing by deer
Arts and literature
See 1926 in art, 1926 in literature, :Category:1926 books
Music
See: 1926 in music
Radio
See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand
Film
See: 1926 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, :Category:1926 films
Sport
Chess
The 35th National Chess Championship is held in Dunedin, and is won by S. Crakanthorp of Sydney, his second title
Cricket
New Zealand, along with India and the West Indies, is admitted to the Imperial Cricket Conference, increasing the number of test playing nations to six
Football
The Chatham Cup is won by Sunnyside (Christchurch) Provincial league champions: Auckland – Tramways Canterbury – Sunnyside Hawke's Bay – Whakatu Nelson – Athletic Otago – HSOB South Canterbury – Colmoco Southland – Ohai Taranaki – Auroa Waikato – Huntly Thistle Wanganui – Woollen Mills Wellington – Hospital
Golf
The 16th New Zealand Open championship is won by Andrew Shaw after a playoff with Ernie Moss. The 8th National Amateur Championships are held at Miramar (men) and Balmacewan (women) Men – Arthur Duncan (Wellington) (his tenth title) Women – Louisa Kerr (Timaru)
Horse racing
Harness racing
New Zealand Trotting Cup – Ahuriri (2nd win) Auckland Trotting Cup – Talaro
Thoroughbred racing
New Zealand Cup – Count Cavour
Avondale Gold Cup – Beacon Light
Auckland Cup – Tanadees
Wellington Cup – Enthusiasm
New Zealand Derby – Commendation
Lawn bowls
The national outdoor lawn bowls championships are held in Dunedin. Men's singles champion – W. Foster (Caledonian Bowling Club) Men's pair champions – W. R. Todd, E. Tamlyn (skip) (St Kilda Bowling Club) Men's fours champions – J. D. Best, H. G. Siedeberg, F. McCullough, E. Harraway (skip) (Dunedin Bowling Club)
Rugby league
The New Zealand national rugby league team tours Britain, losing all three tests against Great Britain and one test against Wales The NZRFU takes legal action to prevent the NZRL from using the name "All Blacks" for the national rugby league team