1975

Jan: Lynne Cox became the first woman to swim across Cook Strait.
Oct: Māori land march reaches Parliament building in Wellington, Whina Cooper presents a Memorial of Rights to P.M. Bill Rowling and Māori Affairs Minister Matiu Rata.
The Waitangi Tribunal is established. Second TV channel starts broadcasting.
Nov: NZ election. Robert Muldoon, Prime Minister - National Party victory.
1975 in New Zealand television

1976

New Zealand's national day 6 Feb renamed from "New Zealand Day" to "Waitangi Day"
Matrimonial Property Act passed.
Pacific Islands "overstayers" deported.
EEC import quotas for New Zealand butter set until 1980.
Introduction of metric system of weights and measures.
Subscriber toll dialling introduced.

1977
National Superannuation scheme begins.
New Zealand signs the Gleneagles Agreement.
The 200 nautical mile (370 km) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is established.
Jan: Bastion Point occupied by protesters.

1978

New Zealand Film Commission established.
Feb: 17 arrested after protestors led by Eva Rickard camped on the Raglan golf course.
May: Army and Police remove protesters from Bastion Point, 218 arrests are made.
Nov: General election, National re-elected.

1979
Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashes on Mount Erebus, Antarctica, 257 people die.
Car-less days introduced to reduce petrol consumption.
Nov: MP Matiu Rata resigns from the Labour Party to join Mana Motuhake Party.
Nambassa 3 day music and alternatives festival held in Waihi. Largest type event in N.Z.

1980
Social Credit wins East Coast Bays by-election.
Saturday trading partially legalised.
Eighty-day strike at Kinleith Mill.

1981

South African rugby team's tour brings widespread disruption.
Nov: New Zealand general election, 1981.