← 1914 1913 1912 1915 in New Zealand → 1916 1917 1918
Decades:	1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s
See also:	History of New Zealand List of years in New Zealand Timeline of New Zealand history

The following lists events that happened during 1915 in New Zealand.

World War I and New Zealand's participation in it dominate the year. Most notably, New Zealand troops take part in the landings at ANZAC cove, Gallipoli on 25 April, and the ensuing campaign.

The various political parties agree to form a wartime coalition in August, even though the Reform Party has an absolute majority in parliament.

Many sporting events are put on hold for the duration of the war, due to the number of men serving in the armed forces and the drive to conserve resources for the war effort.

Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

• Head of State – George V
• Governor – Arthur Foljambe, 2nd Earl of Liverpool^[1]

• 
  George V
• 
  Lord Liverpool

Government

The 19th New Zealand Parliament commenced, initially with the Reform Party in power, but in August a wartime coalition government was formed, with Liberal party leader Joseph Ward becoming finance minister.

• Speaker of the House – Frederic Lang (Reform Party)
• Prime Minister – William Massey (Reform Party)
• Minister of Finance – James Allen until 12 August, then Joseph Ward

• 
  Frederic Lang
• 
  William Massey
• 
  James Allen
• 
  Joseph Ward

Parliamentary opposition

• Leader of the Opposition – Joseph Ward (Liberal Party). Ward retained the title even though he became part of the coalition government.^[2]

• 
  Joseph Ward

Judiciary

• Chief Justice – Sir Robert Stout

• 
  Robert Stout

Main centre leaders

• Mayor of Auckland – James Parr then James Gunson
• Mayor of Wellington – John Luke
• Mayor of Christchurch – Henry Holland
• Mayor of Dunedin – John Shacklock then James Clark

• 
  James Parr
• 
  James Gunson
• 
  John Luke
• 
  Henry Holland
• 
  John Shacklock
• 
  James Clark

Events

• 1 January – First flight of the Walsh Brothers' Curtiss-type flying boat.^[3][4] The flight takes place at Bastion Point and it is the first such aircraft built and flown in the Southern Hemisphere.^[5]
• 14 February – The first contingent of 500 Māori soldiers sails for Egypt aboard SS Warrimoo. Earlier policy had been against 'native peoples' fighting in a European war.^[6]
• 25 April – New Zealand troops participate in the landings at Gallipoli.
• 23 October – Sinking of SS Marquette with 32 New Zealand deaths; mainly nurses and medical staff
• October – The New Zealand Flying School is started by the Walsh Brothers at Ōrākei. Its primary purpose is to train pilots for the Royal Flying Corps.^[3][5]
• November – The New Zealand Flying School moves to Kohimarama.^[3]
• 20 December – The last New Zealand troops are evacuated from Gallipoli.

Undated

• The Waikato Argus, established in 1896, merges into the Waikato Times.^[7]

Arts and literature

See 1915 in art, 1915 in literature, Category:1915 books

Music

See: 1915 in music

Film

See: Category:1915 film awards, 1915 in film, List of New Zealand feature films, Cinema of New Zealand, Category:1915 films

Sport

Chess

• The 28th New Zealand Chess Championship is held in Christchurch, and is won by Fedor Kelling of Wellington, his second title.^[8]

Golf

• The New Zealand Open championship and National Amateur Championships are not held due to the war.^[9]

Horse racing

Harness racing

• New Zealand Trotting Cup – Country Belle^[10]
• Auckland Trotting Cup – Cathedral Chimes^[11]

Thoroughbred racing

• New Zealand Cup – Tangihou^[12]
• Auckland Cup – Balboa^[12]
• Wellington Cup – Pavlova^[12]
• New Zealand Derby – Desert Gold^[12]

Lawn bowls

The national outdoor lawn bowls championships are held in Auckland.^[13]

• Men's singles champion – M. Walker (Ponsonby Bowling Club)
• Men's pair champions – G.A. Blackwood, A. Smellie (skip) (Green Island Bowling Club)
• Men's fours champions – N.H. Nash, S. Dixon, F.J. Tasker, J.A. Nash (skip) (Palmerston North Bowling Club)

Rugby union

• The Ranfurly Shield (held by Wellington) is not contested as interprovincial matches are cancelled due to the war.

Soccer

• Provincial league champions:^[14]
  • Auckland – Brotherhood
  • Canterbury – Christchurch Club
  • Hawke's Bay – Waipukurau
  • Otago – HSOB
  • Southland – No competition
  • Wanganui – No competition
  • Wellington – Wellington Thistle

Births

Deaths