2021 in New Zealand

Public holidays in New Zealand in 2021 are as follows:^[54]

• 1 January – New Year's Day
• 2 January – Day after New Year's Day
• 4 January – Day after New Year's Day observed^[A]
• 6 February – Waitangi Day
• 8 February – Waitangi Day observed^[A]
• 2 April – Good Friday
• 5 April – Easter Monday
• 25 April – Anzac Day
• 26 April – Anzac Day observed^[A]
• 7 June – Queen's Birthday
• 25 October – Labour Day
• 25 December – Christmas Day
• 26 December – Boxing Day
• 27 December – Christmas Day observed^[A]
• 28 December – Boxing Day observed^[A]

• 18 September – Willydoit, Thoroughbred racehorse^[62]

Deaths January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December

• 6 January – Alan Burgess, cricketer (Canterbury), world's oldest living first-class cricketer (since 2020) (born 1920).^[63]
• 8 January
  • John Hicks, Olympic field hockey player (1968) (born 1938).^[64]
  • Stewart McKnight, cricketer (Otago) and curler (born 1935).^[65]
• 12 January – John Ward, cricketer (Canterbury, national team) (born 1937).^[66]
• 15 January – Bill Whitehead, rugby league manager (born 1931).^[67]
• 17 January – Tom Prebble, educationalist and university administrator (Massey University) (born 1945).^[68]
• 18 January – Ash Gardiner, rugby union player (Taranaki, national team) (born 1946).^[69]
• 20 January
  • Doug Bowden, cricketer (Central Districts) (born 1927).^[70]
  • Bill Sheat, lawyer and arts advocate (born 1930).^[71]
• 23 January – Phil Bishop, herpetologist (University of Otago) (born 1957).^[72]
• 26 January
  • Ben Te Haara, Māori Anglican priest, Bishop of Te Tai Tokerau (1992–2001) (born 1932).^[73]
  • Peter Thorburn, rugby union player (Auckland) and coach (North Harbour, national sevens team, United States national team) (born 1939).^[74]
  • Peter Vere-Jones, actor (Pukemanu, Shortland Street, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug) (born 1939).^[75]
• 30 January – Bill Hammond, artist (born 1947).^[76]

• 
  Tom Prebble
• 
  Bill Sheat
• 
  Peter Thorburn

• 3 February – Peter Nicholls, sculptor (Toroa) (born 1936).^[77]
• 4 February – Solomon Faine, microbiologist (Monash University) (born 1926).^[78]
• 6 February – Bruce Taylor, cricketer (Canterbury, Wellington, national team) (born 1943).^[79]
• 22 February – Peter Rattray, cricketer (Canterbury) (born 1958).^[80]

• 
  Peter Nicholls
• 
  Bruce Taylor

• 3 March – Jonathan Temm, lawyer, president of the New Zealand Law Society (2010–2013), Queen's Counsel (since 2019) (born 1962).^[81]
• 5 March – Francis Small, civil engineer and scouting leader, managing director of New Zealand Rail / Tranz Rail (1972–2000), president of IPENZ (1996–1997), Bronze Wolf Award (1999) (born 1946).^[82]
• 12 March – Avenal McKinnon, art historian and writer, director of the New Zealand Portrait Gallery (2005–2014) (born 1949).^[83]
• 15 March – Miriama Rauhihi Ness, Māori activist (Ngā Tamatoa, Polynesian Panthers) and social worker (born 1951).^[84]
• 18 March – David Braithwaite, property developer and local politician, Mayor of Hamilton (2001–2004) (born 1937).^[85]

• 
  Avenal McKinnon

• 3 April – John Edgar, sculptor and medallist (born 1950).^[86]
• 8 April – John da Silva, Olympic (1956) and British Empire and Commonwealth Games (1958) wrestler, boxer and youth worker (born 1934).^[87]
• 15 April – Leon van den Eijkel, artist (born 1940).^[88]
• 17 April – John Ogilvie, cricketer (Wellington) (born 1931).^[89]
• 18 April
  • Mary Earle, food technologist (Massey University) (born 1929).^[90]
  • Iain Gallaway, cricketer (Otago), rugby union referee, lawyer and sports commentator, president of New Zealand Cricket (1997–2000), chair of the Broadcasting Standards Authority (1989–1995) (born 1922).^[91]
• 19 April – Mike Dormer, cricketer (Auckland) (born 1937).^[92]
• 20 April – Karen Trillo, Commonwealth Games lawn bowls player (1998, 2010) (born 1959).^[93]
• 27 April – Dave Cull, television presenter (Home Front), writer, and local politician, mayor of Dunedin (2010–2019) (born 1950).^[94]

• 
  Mary Earle
• 
  Dave Cull

• 3 May – Steve McKean, basketball coach (national team) (born c. 1944).^[95]
• 4 May – Margaret Forsyth, world champion netball player (1979, 1987), netball coach (Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic) and local politician, Hamilton city councillor (2010–2016, since 2019) (born 1961).^[96]
• 8 May
  • George Skudder, rugby union player (Waikato, New Zealand Māori, national team) (born 1948).^[97]
  • Rana Waitai, politician, MP for Te Puku O Te Whenua (1996–1999) (born 1942).^[98]
• 10 May – Jenny King, librarian (University of Waikato) (born 1929).^[99]
• 14 May – David McPhail, comedian (A Week of It), actor (Letter to Blanchy, Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby) and writer (Letter to Blanchy) (born 1945).^[100]
• 15 May – Emily Mair, opera singer, pianist, and vocal coach (Victoria University of Wellington) (born 1928).^[101]
• 17 May
  • Nan Kinross, nurse and nursing academic (Massey University) (born 1926).^[102]
  • Janet Shackleton, hurdler, British Empire Games bronze medallist (1950) (born 1928).^[103]
• 21 May – Merv Norrish, diplomat and public servant, ambassador to the United States (1978–1980), secretary of foreign affairs (1980–1988) (born 1926).^[104]
• 23 May – Ross Taylor, geochemist and planetary scientist (Australian National University) (born 1925).^[105]

• 
  Steve McKean
• 
  Margaret Forsyth
• 
  Rana Waitai
• 
  David McPhail
• 
  Nan Kinross
• 
  Janet Shackleton
• 
  Merv Norrish

• 1 June – Ian Shearer, politician, MP for Hamilton East (1975–1984), Minister for the Environment (1981–1984), Minister of Science and Technology (1981–1984), Minister of Broadcasting (1981–1984) (born 1941).^[106]
• 2 June
  • Vonnie Cave, photographer, camellia grower and gardening writer (born 1928).^[107]
  • Les Rackley, boxing trainer (Jeff Rackley, Les Rackley) (born 1929).^[108]
• 4 June – Tilly Hirst, world champion netball player (1967) (born 1941).^[109]
• 7 June – Richard Nunns, Hall of Fame traditional Māori instrumental musician (born 1945).^[110]
• 9 June
  • Shane Dowsett, rugby league player (Otahuhu, Auckland, national team) (born c. 1947).^[111]
  • Steve Mrkusic, architect (born 1928).^[112]
• 11 June
  • Dame Georgina Kirby, Māori leader and women's advocate, president of the Māori Women's Welfare League (1983–1987) (born 1936).^[113]
  • Ron Sang, architect (Brian Brake House), art collector (born 1938).^[114]
• 12 June – Robert Edgcumbe, 8th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, peer (born 1939).^[115]
• 14 June
  • Sir Eion Edgar, Hall of Fame businessman and philanthropist (Edgar Centre), chancellor of the University of Otago (1999–2003), Senior New Zealander of the Year (2010) (born 1945).^[116]
  • Sir Ian Hassall, paediatrician and children's advocate, Children's Commissioner (1989–1994) (born 1941).^[117]
• 16 June – John Osmers, Anglican priest and anti-apartheid activist, Bishop of Eastern Zambia (1995–2002) (born 1935).^[118]
• 17 June – Fane Flaws, musician (Blerta, The Spats, The Crocodiles), songwriter and artist (born 1951).^[119]
• 19 June – Colin Loader, rugby union player (Wellington, national team) (born 1931).^[120]
• 20 June – Frank Albrechtsen, association footballer (national team) (born 1932).^[121]
• 24 June – Tom Flaws, cricketer (Otago) (born 1932).^[122]
• 25 June – John Sigley, cricketer (Wellington) (born 1931).^[123]

• 
  Tilly Hirst
• 
  Richard Nuns
• 
  Dame Georgina Kirby
• 
  Sir Eion Edgar
• 
  Sir Ian Hassall
• 
  Colin Loader

• 5 July – Vivienne Cassie Cooper, planktologist and botanist (DSIR) (born 1926).^[124]
• 6 July – Mary Fama, applied mathematician (DSIR, CSIRO) (born 1938).^[125]
• 9 July
  • Betty Gilderdale, children's author, Margaret Mahy Award (1994), Children's Literature Association Award for Services to Children's Literature (1999) (born 1923).^[126]
  • Ngaire Lane, Olympic swimmer (1948) (born 1925).^[127]
• 11 July – George Petersen, biochemist (University of Otago), Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand (since 1985), Rutherford Medal (2003) (born 1933).^[128]
• 15 July – Bruce Watt, rugby union player (Wanganui, Canterbury, national team) and coach (born 1939).^[129]
• 17 July – Jonathan White, landscape artist and conservationist (born 1938).^[130]
• 18 July – Philip Sherry, newsreader (NZBC and TV One Network News, Morning Report, 3 National News) and local politician, Auckland Regional Councillor (1995–2004), Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor (2004–2016) (born 1933).^[131]
• 19 July – Paratene Matchitt, artist (City to Sea Bridge) (born 1933).^[132]
• 23 July – Fred Fastier, pharmacologist (University of Otago) (born 1920).^[133]
• 28 July – Malcolm McCaw, cricketer (Wellington) and accountant (born 1930).^[134]

• 
  Betty Gilderdale
• 
  George Petersen
• 
  Philip Sherry

• 1 August – Kihi Ngatai, Māori leader (Ngāi Te Rangi) and horticulturalist, member of the Waitangi Tribunal (2008–2015) (born 1930).^[135]
• 3 August – Brian Maunsell, Olympic boxer (1964) (born 1937).^[136]
• 4 August – Graham McRae, motor racing driving, SCCA L&M Continental 5000 Championship winner (1972), Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year (1973) (born 1940).^[137]
• 5 August
  • Brian Henderson, Hall of Fame television and radio broadcaster (Nine News, Bandstand), Gold Logie Award (1968) (born 1931).^[138]
  • Murray Rose, politician, MP for Otago Central (1969–1972) (born 1939).^[139]
• 7 August – Mark Weedon, rugby union player (Bay of Plenty, North Harbour, Crusaders) (born 1968).^[140]
• 8 August – Perry Harris, rugby union player (Manawatu, national team) (born 1946).^[141]
• 9 August – Olivia Podmore, Olympic (2016) and Commonwealth Games (2018) cyclist (born 1997).^[142]
• 10 August
  • Don McKechnie, cricketer (Otago) and cricket umpire (born 1944).^[143]
  • John Riordan, jockey, Auckland Cup (1960, 1972), W. S. Cox Plate (1963) (born 1936).^[144]
  • Peter Whittle, mathematician (DSIR, University of Cambridge), John von Neumann Theory Prize (1997), Fellow of the Royal Society (since 1978) (born 1927).^[145]
• 11 August – Sir David Levene, Hall of Fame businessman and philanthropist (born 1929).^[146]
• 14 August – Francis Mossman, actor (Shortland Street, Spartacus: Vengeance, The Horizon) (born 1988).^[147]
• 15 August
  • Greg Rowlands, rugby union player (Bay of Plenty, national team) (born 1947).^[148]
  • Gary Woollard, rugby league player (Wellington, Auckland, national team) (born 1942).^[111]
• 16 August – Marilynn Webb, artist and educator (Otago Polytechnic), Frances Hodgkins Fellow (1974), Te Tohu mō Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu (2018) (born 1937).^[149]
• 17 August – Tom Larkin, public servant and diplomat, ambassador to Japan (1972–1976) (born 1917).^[150]
• 18 August – Austin Mitchell, academic (University of Otago, University of Canterbury), broadcaster (Calendar), writer (The Half-Gallon Quarter-Acre Pavlova Paradise) and politician, MP for Great Grimsby (1977–2015) (born 1934).^[151]
• 19 August
  • Sir Michael Cullen, politician, MP (1981–2009), Minister of Social Welfare (1987–1990), Minister of Finance (1999–2008), Deputy Prime Minister (2002–2008) (born 1945).^[152]
  • Lyn Hartley, local-body politician, Mayor of Kawerau (1986–2001) (born 1941).^[153]
• 22 August – Danny Campbell, rugby league player (Wigan, Runcorn Highfield, national team) (born 1956).^[154]
• 23 August – Gary Tricker, painter and printmaker (born 1938).^[155]
• 24 August
  • Bruce Culpan, rower, British Empire and Commonwealth Games silver medallist (1950, 1954) (born 1930).^[156]
  • Harry Kent, Olympic track cyclist (1972), British Commonwealth Games gold medallist (1970), world championship silver medallist (1970), Lonsdale Cup (1970) (born 1947).^[157]
• 25 August – Max Cryer, broadcaster, entertainer and writer, Entertainer of the Year (1973), Benny Award (1977) (born 1935).^[158]
• 28 August – Joye Evans, radiographer and guiding leader, New Zealand Girl Guides chief commissioner (1983–1988) (born 1929).^[159]

• 
  Graham McRae
• 
  Olivia Podmore
• 
  Sir David Levene
• 
  Austin Mitchell
• 
  Sir Michael Cullen
• 
  Max Cryer

• 1 September
  • Noel Dellow, cricketer (Canterbury) (born 1929).^[160]
  • Alison Gray, writer and social researcher (born 1943).^[161]
• 4 September
  • Martin Thompson, artist (born 1956).^[162]
  • Lydia Wevers, literary academic (Victoria University of Wellington), editor and critic (born 1950).^[163]
• 5 September – Viv Stephens, cricket player (Wellington, Central Districts, national team) and administrator (born 1953).^[164]
• 6 September
  • Billy Apple, pop artist, Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icon (since 2018) (born 1935).^[165]
  • Peter Arnold, cricket player (Canterbury, Northamptonshire) and administrator, president of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club (1996–2000) (born 1926).^[166]
• 17 September – Angela Ballara, historian, member of the Waitangi Tribunal (2003–2020) (born 1944).^[167]
• 19 September – Dame Jocelyn Fish, women's rights advocate and local politician, Piako county councillor (1980–1989), president of the National Council of Women (1986–1990) (born 1930).^[168]
• 23 September
  • Taito Phillip Field, politician, MP for Otara (1993–1996) and Māngere (1996–2008), leader of the New Zealand Pacific Party (2008–2010) (born 1952).^[169]
  • John Mitchell, historian (born 1941).^[170]
• 24 September – Waka Nathan, rugby union player (Auckland, national team), selector and administrator, Tom French Cup (1962, 1966), president of the Auckland Rugby Union (2003–2004) (born 1940).^[171]
• 30 September
  • Dorothea Brown, librarian (Christchurch City Libraries) (born 1938).^[172]
  • Jenny Kirk, politician, MP for Birkenhead (1987–1990), North Shore city councillor (1995–2001) (born 1945).^[173]

• 
  Billy Apple
• 
  Taito Phillip Field
• 
  Waka Nathan

• 1 October – Earle Wells, Hall of Fame sailor, Olympic champion (1964) (born 1933).^[174]
• 4 October
  • Laurie Davidson, Hall of Fame yacht designer (NZL 32) (born 1926).^[175]
  • John Hastie, Commonwealth Games sport shooter (1978, 1982) and gunsmith, Ballinger Belt (1982) (born 1938).^[176]
  • Joy Watson, children's author, Gaelyn Gordon Award (2000) (born 1938).^[177]
• 5 October – Pam Williams, Hall of Fame businesswoman and philanthropist (born 1933).^[178]
• 6 October – Sir Noel Anderson, lawyer and judge, president of the Court of Appeal (2004–2006), Supreme Court justice (2006–2008), Queen's Counsel (since 1986) (born 1944).^[179]
• 8 October
  • Jack Manning, architect (Majestic Centre), NZIA Gold Medal (2011) (born 1928).^[180]
  • Ian Ormond, association footballer (Blockhouse Bay, national team) (born 1949).^[181]
• 11 October – Barry Mora, operatic baritone (Gelsenkirchen Opera House, Frankfurt Opera House) (born 1940).^[182]
• 13 October – Ray Cranch, rugby league player (Auckland, national team) and administrator (born 1923).^[183]
• 18 October
  • Fred Goodall, cricket umpire (born 1938).^[184]
  • Sean Wainui, rugby union player (Taranaki, Chiefs, Māori All Blacks) (born 1995).^[185]
• 19 October – Bob Graham, rugby union player (Auckland, Junior All Blacks) and coach (Auckland) (born 1936).^[186]
• 31 October – Dame Catherine Tizard, zoologist (University of Auckland), television personality (Beauty and the Beast), and politician, mayor of Auckland City (1983–1990), governor-general (1990–1996) (born 1931).^[187]

• 
  Pam Williams
• 
  Dame Catherine Tizard

• 13 November
  • Michael Corballis, psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist (University of Auckland), Rutherford Medal (2016) (born 1936).^[188]
  • Jack Kiddey, cricketer (Canterbury) (born 1929).^[189]
  • Keith Mann, British Empire and Commonwealth Games fencer (1962, 1966), and sports administrator (born 1932).^[190]
• 15 November – Sir Rod Weir, Hall of Fame stock and station agent and businessman (born 1927).^[191]
• 16 November – John Luxton, politician, MP for Matamata (1987–1996) and Karapiro (1996–1999), National list MP (1999–2002), Minister of Police (1994–1996), Minister for Land Information (1996–1999) (born 1946).^[192]
• 23 November – Robert Ellis, artist and professor of fine arts (Elam School of Fine Arts) (born 1929).^[193]
• 27 November – Jimmy O'Dea, trade unionist and activist (born 1935).^[194]

• 
  Sir Rod Weir
• 
  John Luxton

• 2 December – Lyndsey Leask, Hall of Fame softball administrator (born 1935).^[195]
• 6 December – Tom Horton, air force pilot and commander (Royal New Zealand Air Force, Royal Air Force) (born 1919).^[196]
• 9 December
  • Brian Aldridge, cricket umpire (born 1940).^[197]
  • Julie Brougham, Olympic equestrian (2016) (born 1954).^[198]
• 12 December – Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi, Tongan noble, deputy prime minister of Tonga (since 2020) (born 1955).^[199]
• 19 December – Peter Innes, dentistry academic (University of Adelaide, University of Saskatchewan, University of Otago) (born 1941).^[200]
• 24 December – Terry Morrison, rugby union player (Otago, national team) and sprinter (born 1951).^[201]
• 26 December – George Johnson, artist (born 1926).^[202]
• 27 December – Keri Hulme, writer (The Bone People), Booker Prize (1985) (born 1947).^[203]
• 30 December – Billy Harrison, rugby league player (Wellington, national team) (born 1938).^[204]

• 
  Tom Horton
• 
  Brian Aldridge
• 
  Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi
• 
  Peter Innes
• 
  Keri Hulme

• Reg Cooke, rugby league player (Papakura, Auckland, national team) (born 1940).^[205]