The following lists events that happened during 1953 in New Zealand.
Population
Estimated population as of 31 December: 2,074,700. Increase since 31 December 1952: 50,100 (2.47%). Males per 100 females: 101.1.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal
Head of State – Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand, from 6 February 1952
Governor-General – Lieutenant-General The Lord Norrie GCMG GCVO CB DSO MC, from 1952-1957
Government
The 30th New Zealand Parliament continued. The National Party was in its second term in office under Sidney Holland.
Speaker of the House – Matthew Oram from 1950 to 1957
Prime Minister – Sidney Holland from 13 December 1949 to 20 September 1957. Deputy Prime Minister – Keith Holyoake from 13 December 1949 to 20 September 1957. Minister of Finance – Sidney Holland Minister of Foreign Affairs – Clifton Webb from 19 September 1951 to 26 November 1954 Chief Justice — Sir Humphrey O'Leary (until 16 October), Sir Harold Barrowclough (from 17 November)
Parliamentary opposition
Leader of the Opposition – Walter Nash (Labour).
Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland – John Luxford from 1953–1956
Mayor of Hamilton – Harold David Caro (from 1938 until his defeat in November) then Roderick Braithwaite (until 1959) Mayor of Wellington – Robert Macalister from 1950–1956 Mayor of Christchurch – Robert M. Macfarlane from 1938–1941 and again from 1950–1958 Mayor of Dunedin – Leonard Morton Wright from 1950–1959
Events
6 January: Godfrey Bowen sets a world sheep shearing record, shearing 456 sheep in nine hours. 10 January: The Social Credit Political League is formed from the earlier Social Credit Association. 29 May – Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reach the summit of Mount Everest, the first known time this has been done. Hillary is knighted the following day. 2 June – Elizabeth II crowned as Queen of New Zealand at Westminster Abbey in London 23 December – The newly crowned Elizabeth II arrives in New Zealand for a royal tour scheduled to last until 30 January 1954. It is estimated that three in four New Zealanders would make an effort to see her during the tour. 24 December – Tangiwai disaster: A railway bridge collapses at Tangiwai in the central North Island, sending a fully loaded passenger train into the Whangaehu River, killing 151 passengers on board. The disaster remains New Zealand's worst rail accident.
Arts and literature
See 1953 in art, 1953 in literature, :Category:1953 books
Radio
See: Public broadcasting in New Zealand
Film
See: :Category:1953 film awards, 1953 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, :Category:1953 films
Sport
Athletics
Arthur Lydiard wins his first national title in the men's marathon, clocking 2:41:29.8 in Dunedin.
Chess
The 60th National Chess Championship was held in Timaru, and was won by Ortvin Sarapu of Auckland (his second title).
Horse racing
Harness racing
New Zealand Trotting Cup – Adorian
Auckland Trotting Cup – Thelma Globe
Lawn bowls
The national outdoor lawn bowls championships are held in Auckland. Men's singles champion – R. McMaster (Stanley Bowling Club) Men's pair champions – J.F. Benson, Richard Pilkington (skip) (Balmoral Bowling Club) Men's fours champions – W.G. Thornally, C.B. Shine, N.A. Fletcher, N. Orange (skip) (Balmoral Bowling Club)
Shooting
Ballinger Belt – Maurie Gordon (Okawa)
Soccer
The Chatham Cup is won by Eastern Suburbs (of Auckland) who beat Northern (of Dunedin) 4–3 in the final. Provincial league champions: Auckland: Eastern Suburbs AFC Bay of Plenty: Mangakino Utd Canterbury: Western Hawke's Bay: Hastings Wanderers Manawatu: Palmerston North United Nelson: Woodbourne Northland: Otangarei United Otago: Northern AFC Poverty Bay: Eastern Union South Canterbury: Northern Hearts Southland: Brigadiers, Thistle (shared) Taranaki: City Waikato: Huntly Thistle Wairarapa: Carterton Wanganui: New Settlers Wellington: Wellington Marist