4 January – Severe weather hits Coromandel and the upper North Island bringing thunderstorms and torrential rain. Holidaymakers are forced to evacuate and continuing severe weather causes numerous landslips.[1]
9 January – COVID-19 in New Zealand: The
"Kraken" subvariant of Omicron is detected in New Zealand for the first time after genome sequencing of two cases. Health officials are confident the current COVID-19 response is appropriate.[2]
1 February – A second wave of severe weather and torrential rain hits Auckland, worsening the already catastrophic flooding.[12]
5 February – Auckland begins a series of significant large-scale clean up operations in the aftermath of catastrophic flooding. Authorities believe the city is now out of danger.[13][14]
8 February – Police Commissioner
Andrew Coster announced the seizure of 3.2 tonnes of cocaine floating in the Pacific that was probably destined for Australia, an amount that represents 30 years of consumption in New Zealand.[15]
Cyclone Gabrielle: A
national state of emergency is declared as
Cyclone Gabrielle continues to impact the
North Island bringing extreme weather, flooding and land slides. A national state of emergency will allow the Government to step in and handle the emergency response.[17]
A 6.3M earthquake hits the lower North Island, 50 kilometres (31 mi) north-west of
Paraparaumu at a depth of 50 km, according to
GNS Science.[20] Shaking lasted a minute, with it being felt nationwide.[21]
16 February – Cyclone Gabrielle: New Zealand starts accepting offers of international assistance.[citation needed]
3 March – Large climate protests take place across the country as thousands march to demand immediate climate action from the government. The protesters make a number of demands and briefly stage a "sit in" at the
Christchurch City Council.[23][24]
14 March - Protesters picket the "Queens Telling Stories" event at
Christchurch's Turangi Library.[26]
15 March –
Stuart Nash resigned as
Minister of Police following revelations he asked the Police Commissioner
Andrew Coster to appeal a decision he felt was too light, a breach of the expectation that the Government remains neutral in regards to operational Police matters.[27]
16 March
New Zealand
enacted a ban of
TikTok on devices connected to parliament citing cybersecurity concerns.[28]
17 March –
Nash subsequently admitted to a third incident of misconduct where he contacted the
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to advocate for a migrant health professional in Napier in September 2022.[32]
25 March
A rally organised by
Posie Parker in central
Auckland ends in chaos after counter-protesters, estimated to number in the thousands, make too much noise for her to speak. Parker later left by police escort.[33]
Marama Davidson, Green Party co-leader is hit by a motorcyclist and injured.[34] On the same day, she made controversial comments about white
cisgender men committing violence.[35]
28 March – A forth incident involving
Nash reveals that in 2020, he emailed two of his donors, who were commercial property owners, about a commercial rent relief policy Cabinet was discussing. Nash is stripped of all his remaining ministerial portfolios.[37]
29 March
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announces a review into Stuart Nash's communications with his two donors.[38]
Secondary school teachers stage a second national strike following the breakdown of negotiations with the Government.[39][40]
30 March – New Zealand records its first case of
rabies in a human. A patient who had been in hospital since early March died from the disease, which did not spread further.[41]
April
10 April – A tornado sweeps through the
Tasman Region damaging fifty properties. It tears the roofs off at least twelve houses, brings down trees and powerlines and leaves one person trapped in their car.[42][43]
11 April – Prime Minister Hipkins and
Minister of HealthAyesha Verrall confirm that the New Zealand Government would retain some COVID-19 restrictions such as the seven-day mandatory isolation period for positive cases and mask wearing requirements at health facilities.[44]
29 April –
The Dominion Post is revamped as
The Post. On 27 April 2023, Stuff confirmed that The Dominion Post would adopt its new name The Post on 29 April. Stuff also announced that it would launch a new subscription-based website for The Post that would co-exist with the free
Stuff news website.[47]
Heavy rain hits the lower North Island and the upper South Island bringing surface flooding and landslips. Evacuations take place in
Tasman District after a river bursts its banks and several other regions issue weather warnings.[52]
12 May – Early childhood education teachers affiliated with the
New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) accept a pay offer from the Ministry of Education, which also increases sick leave by 15 days. Their primary school colleagues have voted to hold out on the Ministry's pay offer.[55]
22 May – The two main teachers' unions, the PPTA and NZEI, suspended strike action in response to progress in pay and work negotiations with the Education Ministry and
Education MinisterJan Tinetti.[57]
26 May – From that date bank transactions were processed every day, and weekend transactions (e.g. on Saturday and Sunday) would no longer held until the next "working day" i.e.. Monday.[58]
26 May – Several school climate strike protests are held across New Zealand.[59]
9 June – Secondary school teachers affiliated with the
Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) voted to reject the Education Ministry's collective agreement offer and to resume rolling strikes throughout the month.[62][63]
16 June – North Auckland's
Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway is officially opened by Prime Minister
Chris Hipkins and other officials. The motorway opened to traffic on 19 June 2023.[64]
21 June – The PPTA suspends strikes action after agreeing to an arbitration process to resolve its pay dispute with the Education Ministry.[65]
A state of emergency is declared in Tairāwhiti due to severe weather.[67]
29 June – Primary school principals affiliated with the NZEI vote to accept the Education Ministry's pay offer consisting of progressive pay rises over the next two years.[68]
July
1 July
Plastic ban for fresh produce. New Zealand bans thin plastic bags for fresh produce from supermarkets, becoming the first country to do so. The ban will also extend to plastic straws and cutlery.[69]
Waka Kotahi announces a temporary ban on Te Huia entering Auckland after twice running through red signals.[72]
The
University of Otago announces a $1.3 million rebrand, including a new te reo Māori name and tohu (symbol).[73]
Three years after the
2019 Whakaari/White Island eruption, the trial over failings of health and safety begin. The legal proceedings are the result of WorkSafe's most extensive and complex investigation to date[74]
13 July – Police announce that there have been 388
ram raid style events resulting in 218 prosecutions in the six months ended May.[75]
16 July
Two children are found safe after going missing for one night at
Mavora Lakes.[76]
15 August – COVID-19 in New Zealand: The last remaining COVID-19 public health requirements—namely the seven-day mandatory isolation period for positive cases, and the wearing of face masks in healthcare settings—are removed at 12:01am.[86]
Senior doctors and dentists affiliated with ASMS continue with a second round of strikes in response to a pay dispute with Te Whatu Ora.[92]
Corrections officers affiliated with the Corrections Association and Public Service Association (PSA) reject an offer by the
Department of Corrections to settle the Prisons' Collective Agreement.[93]
17 September – Strong wind causes weather warnings and watches are issued throughout country, over 10,000 people lose power. A gust of wind measuring 246 km/h is measured in
Cape Turnagain, near the highest ever wind reading in New Zealand at 250 km/h.[94][95] Over 60 flights are cancelled by Air New Zealand.[96]
26 September – Multiple ferry sailings in the
Cook Strait are cancelled due to high winds.[104]
October
1 October – Driving test resit fees are removed by Waka Kotahi.[105]
5 October
The Government announces six new marine reserves in the southeast of the South Island.[106]
A dairy owner was seriously wounded during a robbery attempt at a
New Windsor dairy in Auckland.[107] A 24-year-old man was arrested and subsequently charged in relation to the incident.[108]
25 October –
Richard Laurenson is appointed as the
fourth bishop of Hamilton by
Pope Francis. His consecration then took place on 8 December by numerous senior Catholic clergy. His appointment means that all six Catholic Dioceses in New Zealand have a bishop, the first time since 2019.[115]
Prime Minister Luxon unveils his "100-day plan", with 49 policy changes.[133]
December
1 December – The Government begins a reserve against proposed amendments to
World Health Organisation health regulations to consider these against a 'National Interest Test'.[134]
3 December – New Zealand signs the "
COP28 UAE declaration on sustainable agriculture, resilient food systems and climate action".[135]
12 December – Severe hailstorms, lightning, thunderstorms and a tornado hit the
Canterbury Plains and
Wellington regions, leading to flooding and power outages for thousands of customers.[144]
15 December
The
Criminal Cases Review Commission sends Mikaere Oketopa's case back to the
Court of Appeal of New Zealand for it to be reconsidered over "strong concerns with the police investigation, and his convictions". Oketopa has a conviction for the 1994 rape and murder of Anne-Maree Ellens in Christchurch.[145]
Winston Peters has an engagement with Fiji's Prime Minister
Sitiveni Rabuka, who each exchange gifts. This marks Peters' first overseas engagement as foreign minister.[146]
17 December –
Let's Get Wellington Moving, a plan to improve Wellington's public transport, is cancelled by the new government.[149]
20 December
The government announces new rules for primary and intermediate schools. Starting in Term 1 2024, students will be taught one hour of reading, writing and maths for each subject per day. Starting in Term 2, cellphones will be banned during school for the students.[150]
20 July – 20 August: The
2023 FIFA Women's World Cup[155] is co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand and becomes the highest attended women's world cup to date.[156]
Rodney Macann, operatic bass-baritone and Baptist minister (born 1942).[181]
22 January –
Bob Jackson, Hall of Fame croquet player, world doubles champion (1989) and world singles bronze medallist (
1993), and table tennis player (born 1931).[182]
Bruce Tocker, para athlete, lawn bowler, and sports administrator, Commonwealth Paraplegic Games gold medallist (
1974),
Paralympics New Zealand chief executive officer (1987–1999), Paralympic team chef de mission (
1996) (born 1951).[186]
20 February –
Jim Savage, shot putter, archer and table tennis player, Paralympic bronze medallist (
1972,
1976) (born 1936).[197]
23 February –
Alice Wylie, local politician and community leader,
Mount Albert borough and city councillor (1962–1989) and deputy mayor (1983–1989) (born 1924).[198]
^"Grant Bridger". NZOnScreen.
Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
^Solomon, Richard (15 March 2023).
"Remembering John Wignall". New Zealand Bridge.
Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
4 January – Severe weather hits Coromandel and the upper North Island bringing thunderstorms and torrential rain. Holidaymakers are forced to evacuate and continuing severe weather causes numerous landslips.[1]
9 January – COVID-19 in New Zealand: The
"Kraken" subvariant of Omicron is detected in New Zealand for the first time after genome sequencing of two cases. Health officials are confident the current COVID-19 response is appropriate.[2]
1 February – A second wave of severe weather and torrential rain hits Auckland, worsening the already catastrophic flooding.[12]
5 February – Auckland begins a series of significant large-scale clean up operations in the aftermath of catastrophic flooding. Authorities believe the city is now out of danger.[13][14]
8 February – Police Commissioner
Andrew Coster announced the seizure of 3.2 tonnes of cocaine floating in the Pacific that was probably destined for Australia, an amount that represents 30 years of consumption in New Zealand.[15]
Cyclone Gabrielle: A
national state of emergency is declared as
Cyclone Gabrielle continues to impact the
North Island bringing extreme weather, flooding and land slides. A national state of emergency will allow the Government to step in and handle the emergency response.[17]
A 6.3M earthquake hits the lower North Island, 50 kilometres (31 mi) north-west of
Paraparaumu at a depth of 50 km, according to
GNS Science.[20] Shaking lasted a minute, with it being felt nationwide.[21]
16 February – Cyclone Gabrielle: New Zealand starts accepting offers of international assistance.[citation needed]
3 March – Large climate protests take place across the country as thousands march to demand immediate climate action from the government. The protesters make a number of demands and briefly stage a "sit in" at the
Christchurch City Council.[23][24]
14 March - Protesters picket the "Queens Telling Stories" event at
Christchurch's Turangi Library.[26]
15 March –
Stuart Nash resigned as
Minister of Police following revelations he asked the Police Commissioner
Andrew Coster to appeal a decision he felt was too light, a breach of the expectation that the Government remains neutral in regards to operational Police matters.[27]
16 March
New Zealand
enacted a ban of
TikTok on devices connected to parliament citing cybersecurity concerns.[28]
17 March –
Nash subsequently admitted to a third incident of misconduct where he contacted the
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to advocate for a migrant health professional in Napier in September 2022.[32]
25 March
A rally organised by
Posie Parker in central
Auckland ends in chaos after counter-protesters, estimated to number in the thousands, make too much noise for her to speak. Parker later left by police escort.[33]
Marama Davidson, Green Party co-leader is hit by a motorcyclist and injured.[34] On the same day, she made controversial comments about white
cisgender men committing violence.[35]
28 March – A forth incident involving
Nash reveals that in 2020, he emailed two of his donors, who were commercial property owners, about a commercial rent relief policy Cabinet was discussing. Nash is stripped of all his remaining ministerial portfolios.[37]
29 March
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announces a review into Stuart Nash's communications with his two donors.[38]
Secondary school teachers stage a second national strike following the breakdown of negotiations with the Government.[39][40]
30 March – New Zealand records its first case of
rabies in a human. A patient who had been in hospital since early March died from the disease, which did not spread further.[41]
April
10 April – A tornado sweeps through the
Tasman Region damaging fifty properties. It tears the roofs off at least twelve houses, brings down trees and powerlines and leaves one person trapped in their car.[42][43]
11 April – Prime Minister Hipkins and
Minister of HealthAyesha Verrall confirm that the New Zealand Government would retain some COVID-19 restrictions such as the seven-day mandatory isolation period for positive cases and mask wearing requirements at health facilities.[44]
29 April –
The Dominion Post is revamped as
The Post. On 27 April 2023, Stuff confirmed that The Dominion Post would adopt its new name The Post on 29 April. Stuff also announced that it would launch a new subscription-based website for The Post that would co-exist with the free
Stuff news website.[47]
Heavy rain hits the lower North Island and the upper South Island bringing surface flooding and landslips. Evacuations take place in
Tasman District after a river bursts its banks and several other regions issue weather warnings.[52]
12 May – Early childhood education teachers affiliated with the
New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) accept a pay offer from the Ministry of Education, which also increases sick leave by 15 days. Their primary school colleagues have voted to hold out on the Ministry's pay offer.[55]
22 May – The two main teachers' unions, the PPTA and NZEI, suspended strike action in response to progress in pay and work negotiations with the Education Ministry and
Education MinisterJan Tinetti.[57]
26 May – From that date bank transactions were processed every day, and weekend transactions (e.g. on Saturday and Sunday) would no longer held until the next "working day" i.e.. Monday.[58]
26 May – Several school climate strike protests are held across New Zealand.[59]
9 June – Secondary school teachers affiliated with the
Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) voted to reject the Education Ministry's collective agreement offer and to resume rolling strikes throughout the month.[62][63]
16 June – North Auckland's
Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway is officially opened by Prime Minister
Chris Hipkins and other officials. The motorway opened to traffic on 19 June 2023.[64]
21 June – The PPTA suspends strikes action after agreeing to an arbitration process to resolve its pay dispute with the Education Ministry.[65]
A state of emergency is declared in Tairāwhiti due to severe weather.[67]
29 June – Primary school principals affiliated with the NZEI vote to accept the Education Ministry's pay offer consisting of progressive pay rises over the next two years.[68]
July
1 July
Plastic ban for fresh produce. New Zealand bans thin plastic bags for fresh produce from supermarkets, becoming the first country to do so. The ban will also extend to plastic straws and cutlery.[69]
Waka Kotahi announces a temporary ban on Te Huia entering Auckland after twice running through red signals.[72]
The
University of Otago announces a $1.3 million rebrand, including a new te reo Māori name and tohu (symbol).[73]
Three years after the
2019 Whakaari/White Island eruption, the trial over failings of health and safety begin. The legal proceedings are the result of WorkSafe's most extensive and complex investigation to date[74]
13 July – Police announce that there have been 388
ram raid style events resulting in 218 prosecutions in the six months ended May.[75]
16 July
Two children are found safe after going missing for one night at
Mavora Lakes.[76]
15 August – COVID-19 in New Zealand: The last remaining COVID-19 public health requirements—namely the seven-day mandatory isolation period for positive cases, and the wearing of face masks in healthcare settings—are removed at 12:01am.[86]
Senior doctors and dentists affiliated with ASMS continue with a second round of strikes in response to a pay dispute with Te Whatu Ora.[92]
Corrections officers affiliated with the Corrections Association and Public Service Association (PSA) reject an offer by the
Department of Corrections to settle the Prisons' Collective Agreement.[93]
17 September – Strong wind causes weather warnings and watches are issued throughout country, over 10,000 people lose power. A gust of wind measuring 246 km/h is measured in
Cape Turnagain, near the highest ever wind reading in New Zealand at 250 km/h.[94][95] Over 60 flights are cancelled by Air New Zealand.[96]
26 September – Multiple ferry sailings in the
Cook Strait are cancelled due to high winds.[104]
October
1 October – Driving test resit fees are removed by Waka Kotahi.[105]
5 October
The Government announces six new marine reserves in the southeast of the South Island.[106]
A dairy owner was seriously wounded during a robbery attempt at a
New Windsor dairy in Auckland.[107] A 24-year-old man was arrested and subsequently charged in relation to the incident.[108]
25 October –
Richard Laurenson is appointed as the
fourth bishop of Hamilton by
Pope Francis. His consecration then took place on 8 December by numerous senior Catholic clergy. His appointment means that all six Catholic Dioceses in New Zealand have a bishop, the first time since 2019.[115]
Prime Minister Luxon unveils his "100-day plan", with 49 policy changes.[133]
December
1 December – The Government begins a reserve against proposed amendments to
World Health Organisation health regulations to consider these against a 'National Interest Test'.[134]
3 December – New Zealand signs the "
COP28 UAE declaration on sustainable agriculture, resilient food systems and climate action".[135]
12 December – Severe hailstorms, lightning, thunderstorms and a tornado hit the
Canterbury Plains and
Wellington regions, leading to flooding and power outages for thousands of customers.[144]
15 December
The
Criminal Cases Review Commission sends Mikaere Oketopa's case back to the
Court of Appeal of New Zealand for it to be reconsidered over "strong concerns with the police investigation, and his convictions". Oketopa has a conviction for the 1994 rape and murder of Anne-Maree Ellens in Christchurch.[145]
Winston Peters has an engagement with Fiji's Prime Minister
Sitiveni Rabuka, who each exchange gifts. This marks Peters' first overseas engagement as foreign minister.[146]
17 December –
Let's Get Wellington Moving, a plan to improve Wellington's public transport, is cancelled by the new government.[149]
20 December
The government announces new rules for primary and intermediate schools. Starting in Term 1 2024, students will be taught one hour of reading, writing and maths for each subject per day. Starting in Term 2, cellphones will be banned during school for the students.[150]
20 July – 20 August: The
2023 FIFA Women's World Cup[155] is co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand and becomes the highest attended women's world cup to date.[156]
Rodney Macann, operatic bass-baritone and Baptist minister (born 1942).[181]
22 January –
Bob Jackson, Hall of Fame croquet player, world doubles champion (1989) and world singles bronze medallist (
1993), and table tennis player (born 1931).[182]
Bruce Tocker, para athlete, lawn bowler, and sports administrator, Commonwealth Paraplegic Games gold medallist (
1974),
Paralympics New Zealand chief executive officer (1987–1999), Paralympic team chef de mission (
1996) (born 1951).[186]
20 February –
Jim Savage, shot putter, archer and table tennis player, Paralympic bronze medallist (
1972,
1976) (born 1936).[197]
23 February –
Alice Wylie, local politician and community leader,
Mount Albert borough and city councillor (1962–1989) and deputy mayor (1983–1989) (born 1924).[198]
^"Grant Bridger". NZOnScreen.
Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
^Solomon, Richard (15 March 2023).
"Remembering John Wignall". New Zealand Bridge.
Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.