2004 in New Zealand - Events

Events

  • 27 January: National Party leader Don Brash delivers a speech at Orewa highly critical of the government's policy towards Māori.
  • 8 April: New Zealand First party announces it would give its support to the government's foreshore legislation.
  • 30 April: Tariana Turia announces she will vote against the Government's foreshore and seabed legislation.
  • 5 May: A hikoi against the foreshore and seabed legislation arrives in Wellington.
  • 7 May: The government's foreshore and seabed Bill passes its first vote in Parliament.
  • 11 May: The Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act is passed. The Act allows people who have not reoffended for seven years to not declare minor criminal convictions in most circumstances.
  • 30 June: Statistics New Zealand estimates for this date put the Cities of Lower Hutt and Tauranga at over 100,000 residents for the first time and Waimakariri District at over 40,000
  • 1 July: First sitting of the new Supreme Court.
  • 10 July: Te Tai Hauauru by-election won by Tariana Turia for the new Māori Party.
  • 15 July: 2004 Israel-New Zealand spy scandal: New Zealand imposes diplomatic sanctions against Israel after two Israeli citizens are convicted of passport fraud.
  • 2 August: Around 7,500 Destiny Church members march on Parliament in black shirts to protest liberal social policies.
  • 15 August: Tornado in Waitara. Two fatalities when a farmhouse is destroyed.
  • 19 August: Cereal maker Dick Hubbard announces he is running for the position of Mayor of Auckland.
  • 6 October: Waikato Hospital doctors complete a 22 hour surgery to separate a pair of conjoined twins.
  • 9 October: 2004 local body and health board elections completed, but not all of the counting; and some results need to wait for special votes. All three West Coast mayors unseated, along with several in more populous centres such as Auckland.
  • 1 November: A reciprocal working holiday agreement between New Zealand and Belgium comes into effect.
  • 18 November: Legislation passed vesting ownership of all land up to the high tide mark in New Zealand with the Crown.
  • 29 November: The Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act comes into force.
  • 9 December: The Supreme Court of New Zealand granted Ahmed Zaoui bail. He will reside in the Dominican Friary in Auckland. He will have to report to the Police twice a week and must spent each night in the Friary.
  • 9 December: The Civil Unions Act is passed. The Act establishes the new institution of civil union, available to same-sex and de facto couples.
  • 10 December: Smoking is banned in workplaces or licensed premises.

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