1918 in New Zealand

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Image:Flag of New Zealand.svg 1918 in New Zealand: Image:Flag of New Zealand.svg
Other years in New Zealand
1915 • 1916 • 1917 • 1918 • 1919 • 1920 • 1921

1 Summary
2 Incumbents
3 Events
4 Arts and literature
- 4.1 Music
- 4.2 Film
5 Appointments and awards
6 Sport
7 Births
8 Deaths
9 See also
10 References

[edit] Summary

The jubilation over the end of World War I was overshadowed by the Spanish flu pandemic reaching New Zealand. In four months, it is estimated that 8000 New Zealanders died of the disease and between one third and one half of the population were infected. The death rate for Māori was estimated at 42 per thousand (approx 2,160 deaths) compared to 5.6 per 1000 (6,400 deaths) for European New Zealanders.^[1]

[edit] Incumbents

[edit] Regal and Vice Regal

[edit] Government

The 19th New Zealand Parliament continued for a fourth year as a grand coalition led by the Reform Party.

Speaker of the House - Frederic Lang (Reform Party)
Prime Minister - William Massey (Reform Party)
Minister of Finance - Joseph Ward (Liberal Party)

[edit] Opposition Leaders

Leader of the Opposition - Joseph Ward (Liberal Party) Ward retained that title even though he was part of the coalition government.

[edit] Main centre leaders

Mayor of Auckland - James Gunson
Mayor of Hamilton - John William Ellis then John Robert Fow
Mayor of Wellington - John Luke
Mayor of Christchurch - Henry Holland
Mayor of Dunedin - James John Clark

[edit] Events

19-20 March: Great Raetihi Forest Fire
12 October: Troop ship Niagara returns, carrying a number of people ill with influenza. It is not quarantined. William Massey and Joseph Ward are aboard.
October: First cases of Spanish Flu in Auckland.
Spanish flu epidemic passes its peak.