1991 National Soccer League season
The 1991 National Soccer League season was the sixth eighth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season concluded on September 22, 1991, with Toronto Italia securing the NSL Championship by finishing first in the standings by a single point difference between Scarborough International and St. Catharines Roma.


1991 National Soccer League season
The NSL Ontario Cup was claimed by Toronto Argentina after defeating the Toronto Jets at Lamport Stadium in Toronto, Ontario. The Toronto side would also add the NSL Canadian Cup to their résumé by defeating the Montreal Dollard at Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard in Montreal, Quebec.


1991 National Soccer League season, Overview
The membership in the league increased to a total of ten clubs from the nine of the previous season. Two of the new additions were revealed at the annual general meeting held in Toronto on December 2, 1990. NSL Second Division titleholders North York Strikers were promoted to the First Division, while Toronto International later relocated to Scarborough, Ontario returned to the league after a stint in the Ontario Soccer League. The Toronto Jets and Woodbridge Azzuri were also promoted to the First Division. While Toronto Argentina was the lone expansion franchise that made their NSL debut in 1991.


1991 National Soccer League season, Overview
The increase in membership was rather poignant as the league lost two established clubs Toronto First Portuguese and Toronto Panhellenic due to a depletion of financial resources. America United and Oshawa Italia were the other two clubs that were disbanded. After establishing the necessary connections in the Quebec soccer structure league commissioner Rocco Lofranco announced potential expansion plans into the province. The member clubs also began the transition of recruiting more domestic players instead of relying on imports. After a series of philosophical differences and disputes with the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) about the structure of professional soccer officials from the NSL began negotiations with the CSA, which resulted in a friendly match between the Canadian Olympic team and Toronto Italia.


1991 National Soccer League season, Overview
The league continued operating the NSL Canadian Cup where the NSL Ontario Cup champions faced the league cup winner from the Quebec National Soccer League.


1991 National Soccer League season, Individual awards
The recipients for the annual NSL awards was announced on December 18, 1991, with members from London City, Toronto Croatia, and Toronto Italia receiving the awards. After successfully leading Italia to a championship title Peter Felicetti was named the Coach of the Year. Felicetti previously had managerial experience in the Canadian Soccer League, and later managed in the American Professional Soccer League with Toronto Rockets. London City's Paul Hillman was recognized as the Rookie of the Year. Ivica Raguž of Toronto Croatia was given the MVP award, and would ultimately play in the Croatian First Football League, and the S. League.


1991 National Society of Film Critics Awards
The 26th National Society of Film Critics Awards, given on 5 January 1992, honored the best filmmaking of 1991.


1991 National Society of Film Critics Awards, Winners, Best Director
1. David Cronenberg – Naked Lunch2. Mike Leigh – Life Is Sweet3. Jonathan Demme – The Silence of the Lambs


1991 National Society of Film Critics Awards, Winners, Best Actor
1. River Phoenix – My Own Private Idaho2. Warren Beatty – Bugsy3. Nick Nolte – The Prince of Tides


1991 National Society of Film Critics Awards, Winners, Best Actress
1. Alison Steadman – Life Is Sweet2. Jodie Foster – The Silence of the Lambs3. Susan Sarandon – Thelma & Louise


1991 National Society of Film Critics Awards, Winners, Best Supporting Actor
1. Harvey Keitel – Thelma & Louise, Bugsy and Mortal Thoughts2. Steven Hill – Billy Bathgate3. Elliott Gould – Bugsy


1991 National Society of Film Critics Awards, Winners, Best Supporting Actress
1. Jane Horrocks – Life Is Sweet2. Juliette Lewis – Cape Fear3. Judy Davis – Naked Lunch


1991 National Society of Film Critics Awards, Winners, Best Screenplay
1. David Cronenberg – Naked Lunch2. James Toback – Bugsy3. Agnieszka Holland – Europa Europa3. Calder Willingham – Rambling Rose


1991 National Society of Film Critics Awards, Winners, Best Cinematography
1. Roger Deakins – Barton Fink2. Peter Suschitzky – Naked Lunch3. Allen Daviau – Bugsy


1991 National Society of Film Critics Awards, Winners, Best Foreign Language Film
1. The Double Life of Veronique (La double vie de Véronique)2. The Vanishing (Spoorloos)3. Europa Europa


1991 National Society of Film Critics Awards, Winners, Best Documentary
1. Paris Is Burning2. Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse3. American Dream3. Madonna: Truth or Dare


1991 Nations Cup
The 1991 Nations Cup was held in Gelsenkirchen. Medals were awarded in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.


1991 Navarrese regional election
The 1991 Navarrese regional election was held on Sunday, 26 May 1991, to elect the 3rd Parliament of the Chartered Community of Navarre. All 50 seats in the Parliament were up for election. The election was held simultaneously with regional elections in twelve other autonomous communities and local elections all throughout Spain.


1991 Navarrese regional election, Overview, Electoral system
The Parliament of Navarre was the devolved, unicameral legislature of the Chartered Community of Navarre, having legislative power in regional matters as defined by the Spanish Constitution and the Reintegration and Enhancement of the Foral Regime of Navarre Law, as well as the ability to vote confidence in or withdraw it from a President of the Foral Deputation. Voting was on the basis of universal suffrage, which comprised all nationals over eighteen, registered in Navarre and in full enjoyment of their political rights.


1991 Navarrese regional election, Overview, Electoral system
The 50 members of the Parliament of Navarre were elected using the D'Hondt method and a closed list proportional representation, with a threshold of 3 percent of valid votes—which included blank ballots—being applied regionally. Parties not reaching the threshold were not taken into consideration for seat distribution.


1991 Navarrese regional election, Overview, Electoral system
The electoral law provided that parties, federations, coalitions and groupings of electors were allowed to present lists of candidates. However, groupings of electors were required to secure the signature of at least 1 percent of the electors registered in Navarre. Electors were barred from signing for more than one list of candidates. Concurrently, parties and federations intending to enter in coalition to take part jointly at an election were required to inform the relevant Electoral Commission within ten days of the election being called.


1991 Navarrese regional election, Overview, Election date
The term of the Parliament of Navarre expired four years after the date of its previous election. Legal amendments earlier in 1991 established that elections to the Parliament were to be fixed for the fourth Sunday of May every four years. The previous election was held on 10 June 1987, setting the election date for the Parliament on Sunday, 26 May 1991.


1991 Navarrese regional election, Overview, Election date
The Parliament of Navarre could not be dissolved before the date of expiry of parliament. In the event of an investiture process failing to elect a regional President within a two-month period from the first ballot, the candidate from the party with the highest number of seats was to be deemed automatically elected.


1991 Navarrese regional election, Opinion polls
The table below lists voting intention estimates in reverse chronological order, showing the most recent first and using the dates when the survey fieldwork was done, as opposed to the date of publication. Where the fieldwork dates are unknown, the date of publication is given instead. The highest percentage figure in each polling survey is displayed with its background shaded in the leading party's colour. If a tie ensues, this is applied to the figures with the highest percentages. The "Lead" column on the right shows the percentage-point difference between the parties with the highest percentages in a given poll. When available, seat projections are also displayed below the voting estimates in a smaller font. 26 seats were required for an absolute majority in the Parliament of Navarre.


1991 Navarrese regional election, Aftermath
Investiture processes to elect the President of Navarre required for an absolute majority—more than half the votes cast—to be obtained in the first ballot. If unsuccessful, a new ballot would be held 48 hours later under the same majority requirement, with successive votes requiring only of a simple majority—more affirmative than negative votes—to succeed. If such majorities were not achieved, successive candidate proposals would be processed under the same procedure. In the event of the investiture process failing to elect a regional President within a two-month period from the first ballot, the candidate from the party with the highest number of seats was deemed to be automatically elected.


1991 Navarrese regional election, Aftermath
As a result of the investiture process failing to provide a regional President within two months from the first ballot, Juan Cruz Alli was automatically elected on 18 September 1991 and officially sworn into office on 23 September.


1991 Navy Midshipmen football team
The 1991 Navy Midshipmen football team represented the United States Naval Academy during the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season as an independent. It was the program's fewest wins in a season since the winless 1948 season.


1991 Navy Midshipmen football team, Game summaries, Army
The Midshipmen managed to steal all four Army mules in the week prior to the game.


1991 Neath by-election
The Neath by-election, 1991 was a by-election held on 4 April 1991 for the British House of Commons constituency of Neath in Wales. It was won by the Labour Party candidate Peter Hain.


1991 Neath by-election, Vacancy
The seat had become vacant when the sitting Labour Member of Parliament (MP), Donald Coleman, died on 14 January 1991. Coleman had already announced his intention to stand down at the next election, so Peter Hain had already been selected to contest the seat.


1991 Neath by-election, Result
Peter Hain retained Neath easily for Labour, although there was a 14% swing to Plaid Cymru.


1991 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 1991 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.


1991 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team, NFL and pro players
The following Nebraska players who participated in the 1991 season later moved on to the next level and joined a professional or semi-pro team as draftees or free agents.


1991 Nepal census
The 1991 Nepal census was a widespread national census conducted by the Nepal Central Bureau of Statistics.


1991 Nepal census
Working with Nepal's Village Development Committees at a district level,they recorded data from all the main towns and villages of each district of the country. The data included statistics on population size, households, sex and age distribution, place of birth, residence characteristics, literacy, marital status, religion, language spoken, caste/ethnic group, economically active population, education, number of children, employment status, and occupation.


1991 Nepalese general election
General elections were held in Nepal on 12 May 1991, to elect 205 members to the House of Representatives. The elections were the first multi-party elections since 1959. The 1990 Nepalese revolution successfully made King Birendra to restore a multi-party system after King Mahendra had established the Rastriya Panchayat when he dissolved the parliament on December 1960.


1991 Nepalese general election, Aftermath
Following the result of the election, Nepali Congress came to power and Girija Prasad Koirala became Prime Minister. The house met for the first time on May 1991. Daman Nath Dhungana served as the Speaker of the House. The parliament could not complete its full five-year term with Girija Prasad Koirala asking King Birendra to dissolve the house on July 1994 after losing a no-confidence motion with some member of his own party voting against him.


1991 Netherlands Antilles island council elections
Island council elections were held in the Netherlands Antilles on 12 April 1991 to elect the members of the island councils of its five island territories. The election was won by the Bonaire Patriotic Union (6 seats) in Bonaire, the National People's Party (10 seats) in Curaçao, the Windward Islands People's Movement (4 seats) in Saba, and the Sint Maarten Patriotic Alliance (4 seats) in Sint Maarten.


1991 Netherlands Antilles island council elections, Results, Sint Maarten
The Sint Maarten Patriotic Alliance (SPA) led by Vance James Jr. emerged as the largest party, winning 4 of the 9 seats. The SPA and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) agreed to form a coalition government. On 28 August 1991 the SPA–PDP government collapsed. PDP political leader Millicent Acuna Lopez-de Weever said that "fundamental philosophical differences" with the SPA caused the coalition "to break".


1991 Nevada Wolf Pack football team
The 1991 Nevada Wolf Pack football team was an American football team that represented the University of Nevada, Reno in the Big Sky Conference (BSC) during the 1991 NCAA Division I-AA football season. In their 16th season under head coach Chris Ault, the Wolf Pack compiled a 12–2 record (8–0 against conference opponents), won the BSC championship and lost to Youngstown State, the eventual national champion, in the NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinals. They played their home games at Mackay Stadium.


1991 Nevada Wolf Pack football team
This was the Wolf Pack's last year as a member of the BSC and I-AA (now FCS) as they joined the Big West Conference and the NCAA Division I-A—now the known as the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)—for the 1992 season.


1991 Nevada Wolf Pack football team, Previous season
The Wolf Pack finished the 1990 season 13–2 and 7–1 in BSC play to finish in first place and lost the 1990 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game to Georgia Southern by a score of 36–13.


1991 New Brunswick general election
The 1991 New Brunswick general election was held on September 23, 1991, to elect 58 members to the 52nd New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada.


1991 New Brunswick general election
As expected, the Liberal Party won a large majority. Many were surprised that the Confederation of Regions Party formed the official opposition. Though they ran even with the PCs in popular vote, their concentration of support in rural anglophone ridings gave them considerably more seats. Weir's personal popularity and name recognition was not enough to give her party more seats as she, and the Tories, had votes relatively evenly spread around the province.


1991 New Brunswick general election, Background
Though Frank McKenna's Liberals were expected to win a second term after sweeping all 58 seats in 1987, any of the other three parties were considered contenders for official opposition.


1991 New Brunswick general election, Background
The New Democratic Party was led by Elizabeth Weir, who had been the strongest and most consistent voice of opposition to the Liberals since her election as party leader in 1988. In the ensuing three years, thanks to the lack of opposition members in the legislature (MLAs), her firebrand style had made her a well-known name in New Brunswick politics.


1991 New Brunswick general election, Background
The fledgling Confederation of Regions Party had been created out of the ashes of the Hatfield Tories when the latter went from majority government to zero seats in 1987. CoR was running numerous former Tory MLAs and candidates, and even some former Tory cabinet ministers. Its base of support was in English-speaking regions of New Brunswick, where many conservatives had become alienated by Hatfield's close relationship with Acadians.


1991 New Brunswick general election, Background
The Progressive Conservatives had been in power for the majority of years since confederation, and 17 straight years before 1987. Even so, the scandals of the final Hatfield years and the growing unpopularity of the federal Progressive Conservatives hindered their success. Additionally they had perceived internal problems having gone through four leaders since the last election: Hatfield, then two-year interim leader Malcolm MacLeod then Barbara Baird, and then Dennis Cochrane.


1991 New Brunswick general election, Close results
A number of races were close 2 or 3 way contests with only a small fraction of votes separating the winner from the losers. The tables below highlight the seats that the three major parties missed by less than 10 percentage points (pp) and the margins between them and the winner.


1991 New Brunswick general election, Results, Results by riding, South West
Consisting of Queens, Kings, Saint John and Charlotte county ridings.


1991 New England Patriots season
The 1991 season New England Patriots season was the team's 32nd, and 22nd in the National Football League. The team finished the season with a record of six wins and ten losses, and finished fourth in the AFC East Division. Though the Patriots scored twenty or more points just five times during the season, they were able to upset playoff teams such as the Houston Oilers, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets.


1991 New England Patriots season
It was the last season where the Patriots were owned by Victor Kiam, who was forced to sell the team to St. Louis businessman James Orthwein in order to settle a debt.


1991 New Hampshire Wildcats football team
The 1991 New Hampshire Wildcats football team was an American football team that represented the University of New Hampshire as a member of the Yankee Conference during the 1991 NCAA Division I-AA football season. In its 20th year under head coach Bill Bowes, the team compiled a 9–3 record (7–1 against conference opponents), tied for the Yankee Conference championship, and lost to Samford in the first round of the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship playoffs.


1991 New Jersey General Assembly election
The 1991 New Jersey General Assembly election was held on November 5, 1991.


1991 New Jersey General Assembly election
The elections took place midway through Jim Florio's term as Governor of New Jersey. As in the State Senate elections, the Republican Party won a historic landslide, gaining 21 seats to win control of both chambers of the state legislature. As of 2021, the Republican Assembly majority of 58 seats is the largest for either party since 1973.


1991 New Jersey General Assembly election, Background, Redistricting
As required, the New Jersey legislature redistricted its state legislative districts in advance of the 1991 election. Redistricting was on balance considered to have favored Republicans.


1991 New Jersey General Assembly election, Background, Tax increase
A centerpiece of the Florio administration's legislative agenda was the passage of a $2.8 billion tax increase. Republicans centered their 1991 campaign on opposition to the increase, as did even some incumbent Democrats, such as Senator Paul Contillo.


1991 New Jersey General Assembly election, Background, Tax increase
According to the Florio administration, the tax increase was designed to aid blue-collar workers, who were "also the people most upset by enactment of the taxes."


1991 New Jersey General Assembly election, Background, Gun control
Another major legislative achievement of the Florio administration was a strict gun control measure. The bill's passage led the National Rifle Association to spend nearly $250,000 in the 1991 elections targeting candidates in both parties who had voted in favor of the bill and supporting those who pledged to repeal it.


1991 New Jersey General Assembly election, Incumbents not running for re-election, Democratic
Additionally, several Democrats resigned their seats late in the 1991 campaign to join the Florio administration, including Joseph D. Patero, Edward H. Salmon, Frank M. Pelly.


1991 New Jersey General Assembly election, Summary of races
Voters in each legislative district elect two members to the New Jersey General Assembly.


1991 New Jersey State Senate election
The 1991 New Jersey State Senate elections were held on November 5.


1991 New Jersey State Senate election
The election took place mid-way through the term of Governor James Florio. The results were a landslide victory for the Republican Party amidst a tax revolt by New Jersey voters. Democrats picked up only one seat, that of Senator Lee B. Laskin. Republicans picked up eleven Democrat seats, winning control of the Senate for the first time since 1978.


1991 New Jersey State Senate election, Background, Redistricting
As required, the New Jersey legislature redistricted its state legislative districts in advance of the 1991 election. Redistricting was on balance considered to have favored Republicans.


1991 New Jersey State Senate election, Background, Tax increase
A centerpiece of the Florio administration's legislative agenda was the passage of a $2.8 billion tax increase. Republicans centered their 1991 campaign on opposition to the increase, as did even some incumbent Democrats, such as Senator Paul Contillo.


1991 New Jersey State Senate election, Background, Tax increase
According to the Florio administration, the tax increase was designed to aid blue-collar workers, who were "also the people most upset by enactment of the taxes."


1991 New Jersey State Senate election, Background, Gun control
Another major legislative achievement of the Florio administration was a strict gun control measure. The bill's passage led the National Rifle Association to spend nearly $250,000 in the 1991 elections targeting candidates in both parties who had voted in favor of the bill and supporting those who pledged to repeal it.


1991 New Mexico Lobos football team
The 1991 New Mexico Lobos football team was an American football team that represented the University of New Mexico in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fifth and final season under head coach Mike Sheppard, the Lobos compiled a 3–9 record (2–6 against WAC opponents) and were outscored by a total of 473 to 240.


1991 New Mexico Lobos football team
The team's statistical leaders included Stoney Case with 1,564 passing yards, Marc Wilson with 245 rushing yards, Carl Winston with 1,177 receiving yards, and kicker David Margolis with 50 points scored.


1991 New Mexico State Aggies football team
The 1991 New Mexico State Aggies football team was an American football team that represented New Mexico State University in the Big West Conference during the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their second year under head coach Jim Hess, the Aggies compiled a 2–9 record. The team played its home games at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces, New Mexico.


1991 New Orleans Night season
The 1991 New Orleans Night season was the 1st season for the franchise. They were formed as part of an expansion for 1991. They went 4–6 and missed the playoffs.


1991 New Orleans Night season, Roster
Rookies in italics updated March 15, 201323 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 PS


1991 New Orleans Night season, Coaching
Eddie Khayat was the first head coach of the Night.


1991 New Orleans Saints season
The 1991 New Orleans Saints season was the team's 25th season in the National Football League. The Saints won their first-ever division title, and reached the postseason for the second consecutive year. However, they lost their playoff opener at home in the wild card round to their bitter division rival, the Atlanta Falcons, and would have to wait another nine years before winning their first playoff game in franchise history.


1991 New Orleans Saints season
The 1991 Saints had 48 defensive takeaways, tied for the most for any team in a single season in the 1990s. Statistics site Football Outsiders calculates that the 1991 Saints had the second-best defense in the NFL (behind the Philadelphia Eagles), and one of the top-ten defenses of all time, in terms of efficiency. Says Football Outsiders,


1991 New Orleans Saints season
The Saints were led by their linebackers, with Sam Mills, Vaughan Johnson, and Pat Swilling all making the Pro Bowl and Rickey Jackson being awesome without getting a trip to Hawaii. It wasn't really the easiest year to find space on the NFC Pro Bowl defense, was it?


1991 New Orleans Saints season
The season saw the adoption of the Cha-Ching slogan from a Rally's advertising campaign.


1991 New Orleans Saints season, Regular season, Week 3
Rams Jim Everett completed only 6 passes against the Saints defense, while Craig Heyward scored 2 touchdowns to send the Saints to a 3-0 record.


1991 New Orleans Saints season, Playoffs, NFC Wild Card Game
Falcons quarterback Chris Miller completed the game-winning 61-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael Haynes with 2:41 left in the contest. Miller completed 18 out of 30 passes for 291 yards and 3 touchdowns.


1991 New South Wales referendum
A referendum concerning reform of the New South Wales Legislative Council was put to New South Wales voters on 25 May 1991. The referendum coincided with that year's New South Wales general election. The change passed comfortably. The text of the question was:


1991 New South Wales referendum
Do you approve of the Bill entitled 'A Bill for an Act:


1991 New South Wales referendum
(a) to reduce the number of politicians in the Legislative Council and to reduce their maximum term of office; and


1991 New South Wales referendum
(b) to apply to the Legislative Council the same method of filling casual vacancies as applies to the Senate ?


1991 New South Wales referendum, Amendments to the constitution
At the time of the referendum, the Legislative Council consisted of 45 members, with 15 members elected at each election and members serving for three terms of the Legislative Assembly, giving a maximum term of 12 years. If a casual vacancy arose, the member was replaced by the next unelected candidate and it was only if the candidates were exhausted that the party could nominate a candidate at the election was declared.


1991 New South Wales referendum, Amendments to the constitution
The headline changes by the proposal were to alter the Constitution Act 1902 to:


1991 New South Wales referendum, Amendments to the constitution
The transitional arrangements were that from the 1991 election, the council would consist of:


1991 New South Wales referendum, Amendments to the constitution
From the next election, scheduled to be in 1995, the council would consist of:


1991 New South Wales state election
Elections to the 50th Parliament of New South Wales were held on Saturday 25 May 1991. All seats in the Legislative Assembly and half the seats in the Legislative Council were up for election. The Liberal-National Coalition government of Premier Nick Greiner, which enjoyed a considerable majority following their landslide win at the 1988 election, was seeking a second term in office against new Labor Opposition Leader Bob Carr.


1991 New South Wales state election
The government had reduced the number of lower house seats from 109 to 99 for the 1991 election, reversing an increase approved by the Unsworth Labor government.


1991 New South Wales state election, Background, Greiner Government
The 1988 election generated a two-party preferred swing to the Coalition of 8.4% and saw the Labor Party record its lowest primary vote in half a century. This was a clear rejection of the Unsworth Government, although it was less clear whether the electorate was endorsing the full range of Coalition policies. Qualms about the meaning of its mandate were clearly of little concern to the new government under Nick Greiner which immediately began introducing wide ranging reforms to the New South Wales public sector.


1991 New South Wales state election, Background, Greiner Government
The finance and administration of all government trading enterprises was put on a more commercial basis, with standard rates of return on capital set and separate community service obligations for specific public funding identified. There were major expenditure cuts and dramatic price increases in education, public transport and electricity. The new government spoke of New South Wales living beyond its means, introducing new user-pay charges, proposed the sale of underused public assets to help pay off state debt and flagged the use of private capital to build public infrastructure. It was a radical agenda at the time, but a package of reforms that would become standard across Australia over the next decade.


1991 New South Wales state election, Background, Greiner Government
The government implemented “truth in sentencing” laws which required judges to set minimum terms for convicted criminals and abolished time off for good behaviour in gaol. Responding to the corruption allegations that had regularly swirled around New South Wales politics, the government also created a standing royal commission, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), as an independent body to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration.


1991 New South Wales state election, Background, Greiner Government
The government attracted most controversy over changes to education and the confrontational style of Education Minister Terry Metherell. There were major cutbacks in teaching and ancillary staff, closures of schools and an increase in class sizes and the number of composite classes. The government unzoned state schools, allowing parents to enrol their children outside of the local district, and allowed the creation of new selective and specialist high schools.


1991 New South Wales state election, Background, Labor Opposition
The Labor Opposition initially struggled in the face of the government’s rapidly moving agenda. Ten ministers had either retired or been defeated at the 1988 election. The former Environment and Planning Minister, Bob Carr had reluctantly accepted the party leadership. The Opposition had some encouraging results at by-elections as the government’s new taxes and charges began to bite.


1991 New South Wales state election, Background, Labor Opposition
Labor made important gains at the March 1990 federal election, but the electoral position had been reversed by the end of the year.


1991 New South Wales state election, Background, Economic conditions
The economic recession of the early-1990s hit the State’s finances, but New South Wales was substantially better off than interstate Labor administrations that had accumulated debt and gambled on failed commercial ventures.


1991 New South Wales state election, Background, Economic conditions
The hard medicine introduced by the Greiner Government was unpopular, but it was becoming apparent that New South Wales was in a better position as a result of the financial changes. The surprise resignation of Metherell over tax charges in July 1990 provided a boost for the government by removing its most controversial Minister.


1991 New South Wales state election, Background, Economic conditions
Opinion polls showed the government trailing by seven points in March 1990, but 15 points ahead in December. The government was now well placed for an early election and keen to avoid the opprobrium of another tough budget.


1991 New South Wales state election, Redistribution
The opportunity came with the finalisation of a redistribution in March 1991. The Coalition had promised to cut the size of the Legislative Assembly from 109 to 99 seats, reversing the previous government’s increase and automatically triggering a redistribution.


1991 New South Wales state election, Redistribution
Without control of the Legislative Council, the Coalition was unable to alter Labor’s projected enrolment quotas, but did insert a new provision in the Constitution Act so that a redistribution could take place after one term if more than one-quarter of districts differed from the average enrolment by more than 5% for two consecutive months.


1991 New South Wales state election, Redistribution
The Coalition’s promise to cut the number of MPs was an attempt to overturn what it considered a Labor gerrymander. Other views could explain this as a demonstration of a historically inward looking Liberal members limiting themselves to the Northern Beaches and only as far west as was necessary to form government, as previous Liberal-National governments had only wished to really have more control over projects and reallocation based not on need but pork barreling, with the reallocation of state funds and priority given to sitting government members' electorates from the first budget in 1988.


1991 New South Wales state election, Redistribution
Despite winning 56.0% of the two-party preferred vote in 1988, the Coalition could have lost its majority with a swing of just 1.3%. The redistribution gamble worked in part, as the swing needed for the government to lose its majority increased to 2.9% on the new boundaries.


1991 New South Wales state election, Redistribution
With the boundaries finalised, an early election was called for 25 May 1991. The final change to the voting laws prohibiting ticks and crosses on Ballot Papers would see a massive increase in the informal vote. Additionally, a referendum for changes to the Legislative Council was to be held.


1991 New South Wales state election, Campaign
The government campaigned on its record, arguing good financial management had prevented New South Wales suffering the sort of financial collapse caused by interstate Labor Governments.


1991 New South Wales state election, Campaign
The Labor Party campaigned on those same government reforms, but concentrated on how the government’s new taxes and charges had hurt lower to middle income families, combined with the government's sale of state assets and institutions, reduction in services for health, public housing maintenance, transport (particularly rail), tolls on the M4 motorway, and RTA road $2 million funding for Western Sydney Council's being wiped out and used in the Deputy Premier Wal Murray's Western NSW seat of Barwon following the Nyngan floods of 1990.


1991 New South Wales state election, Campaign
The Nyngan floods additionally damaged the passenger rail line, with the flood damaged rail line never repaired or services reopened. The tendering out to a South African listed company transport and delivery of documents in contravention of the international boycott of business dealings with South African private, listed and government organisations was also an issue.


1991 New South Wales state election, Campaign
Disparity in government responses to natural disasters was highlighted by the lack of natural disaster declarations in March 1990. On 18 March 1990, a savage hailstorm devastated regions of areas from southwest Sydney to near Dee Why. Hailstones the size of cricket balls and in some case larger pummeled vehicles and punctured holes in house roofs across many suburbs particularly Liverpool, Bankstown, Bass Hill, Auburn and Lidcombe. Hail sizes reported from this storm were up to 8 cm in diameter. One reliable report from Liverpool used two hands to indicate the sizes of the hail that fell at his residence. The Government failed to make a disaster declaration, however.


1991 New South Wales state election, Campaign
Adding insult to injury, the electorates with government members were assisted as a priority with many employees of those whose homes had been damaged in the South West of Sydney being directed to the government members' areas first. The 1990 disaster was until recently one of Australia's most costly natural disasters with a cost in 1990 of AUD$319 million (2011 normalised cost of AUD$1.3 billion). Some homes for over 10 years in the Southwest of Sydney damaged by this weather event had temporary "Tarps" on roofs.


1991 New South Wales state election, Campaign
Local government infrastructure in the areas damaged by the hailstorm event also had to repair local facilities with existing funds to repair them with the absence of a natural disaster declaration. Local halls, swimming facilities, sporting and recreational areas were repaired without disaster relief funding from the state government, leaving the cost of repairs to local governments.


1991 New South Wales state election, Results
The result was a stalemate. Total formal voting for the state was 3,083,260 voters with 3,205,524 formal votes in 1988.


1991 New South Wales state election, Results, Legislative Assembly
New South Wales state election, 25 May 1991Legislative Assembly << 1988–1995 >>


1991 New South Wales state election, Results, Legislative Council
New South Wales state election, 25 May 1991Legislative Council << 1988–1995 >>


1991 New South Wales state election, Results, Legislative Council
The 9.32% informal vote at the 1991 election was the highest on record. Labor-held seats in particular had high informal votes, with 23.48% in Bankstown, 17.80% in Cabramatta, 15.29% in Canterbury, 19.13% in Fairfield, 16.03% in Heffron, 15.82% in Lakemba, 22.24%  in Londonderry, 16.07% in Smithfield and 8.26% in The Entrance. Informal votes was higher than all candidates except the winner of the seat. ABC election analyst Antony Green's election analysis stated it "may well be the highest ever recorded at a democratic election in the world".


1991 New South Wales state election, Results, Legislative Council
The Liberal Party won The Entrance by only 116 votes. The Labor Party launched a challenge to the result in the Court of Disputed Returns, based on the significant number of voters in the electorate who had incorrectly been issued absent votes for the neighbouring electorate of Gosford. The Court upheld the appeal and ordered a by-election, which Labor won. At the by-election, the informal vote was only 1.57%.


1991 New South Wales state election, Results, Legislative Council
The referendum for changes to the upper house was approved by 58% of voters.


1991 New South Wales state election, Results, Legislative Council
The Coalition recorded 52.7% of the two-party preferred vote, but most of its vote was wasted on landslide margins in its heartland. Labor rebounded strongly under Carr, recovering much of the ground it had lost in its severe defeat three years earlier. As a result, the Coalition suffered a 10-seat swing, winning only 49 of the 99 seats, one seat short of a majority. The Coalition also lost control of the Legislative Council at the election.


1991 New South Wales state election, Results, Legislative Council
Labor defeated the four Independents elected in formerly safe Labor seats in 1988 and, in addition, re-gained Broken Hill, Drummoyne and Port Stephens, seats that on the new boundaries were notionally Coalition held. Former Labor MPs were returned to Parliament in both Cessnock and Bathurst, while the issue of user-pay charges played an important part in Labor gaining both Parramatta and Penrith.


1991 New South Wales state election, Results, Legislative Council
Coming so close to victory was a shock for the Labor Party, having entered the 1991 election merely hoping to hold what it had, and regain traditional Labor seats lost to Independents in 1988. The Coalition was overconfident that perceptions of good economic management would see it re-elected. It ran a presidential campaign that won the overall vote but resulted in the loss of key seats. The Coalition’s best results were in safe Liberal Party seats on Sydney’s North Shore, while Labor won the battle in marginal seats.


1991 New South Wales state election, Seats changing hands, Redistribution affected seats
§ Margin estimated on Independent member Ted Mack's results against Liberal at the 1988 election.


1991 New South Wales state election, Aftermath
The balance of power rested with four independents who held seats that would have normally been held by the Coalition. Both John Hatton in South Coast and Clover Moore in Bligh were re-elected. They were joined by former National Party member Tony Windsor in Tamworth and local councillor Dr Peter Macdonald in Manly. Windsor quickly came to an accommodation with the Government, assuring it of another term. However, the three non-aligned Independents, knowing that Greiner was still in a shaky position, used their numbers to negotiate a comprehensive memorandum of understanding. Signed in October 1991, it was a document that concentrated more on issues of accountability and process rather than specific policies.


1991 New South Wales state election, Aftermath
Most importantly, the agreement introduced fixed four-year parliamentary terms, a provision entrenched in the Constitution with 76% support at a referendum called in conjunction with the 1995 election.


1991 New Territories West by-election
The 1991 New Territories West by-election was held on 8 December 1991 after the incumbent Legislative Councillor Tai Chin-wah of New Territories West resigned from the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (LegCo) on 8 October 1991 weeks after the 1991 general election as he was being discovered of his falsified legal qualifications.


1991 New Territories West by-election
The liberal Meeting Point (MP) Zachary Wong Wai-yin, who was fully supported by the United Democrats of Hong Kong (UDHK) triumphed over two conservative candidates with rural background, Tang Siu-tong and Kingsley Sit Ho-yin, and a liberal Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood (ADPL) candidate Yim Tin-sang, by receiving 21,559 votes with a 40 percent plurality.


1991 New Territories West by-election
The result raised the pro-democracy camp's total directly elected seats to 17, enlarging their strength in the legislature to 21, similar to that of the conservative Co-operative Resources Centre bloc.


1991 New Territories West by-election
Tai was later found guilty of forging credentials and was given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for one year.


1991 New Territories West by-election, Candidates
The pro-democratic Meeting Point (MP) nominated Zachary Wong Wai-yin, the candidate in the September general election in 1991 who lost to Tai Chin-wah. As the electoral ally in the general election, the United Democrats of Hong Kong (UDHK) endorsed Wong.


1991 New Territories West by-election, Candidates
Another pro-democratic party, the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood (ADPL) also field a candidate, Yim Tin-sang, a Tuen Mun District Board member. The two pro-democratic parties fielding candidates against each other also sparked some controversies within the camp.


1991 New Territories West by-election, Candidates
Tang Siu-tong and Kingsley Sit Ho-yin, both came from rural background also ran in the election.


1991 New Year Honours
The New Year Honours 1991 were appointments by Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by people of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. They were published on 28 December 1990 for the United Kingdom, New Zealand and the Cook Islands, Mauritius, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Christopher and Nevis.


1991 New Year Honours
The recipients of honours are displayed here as they were styled before their new honour, and arranged by honour, with classes (Knight, Knight Grand Cross, etc.) and then divisions (Military, Civil, etc.) as appropriate.


1991 New Year Honours (New Zealand)
The 1991 New Year Honours in New Zealand were appointments by Elizabeth II on the advice of the New Zealand government to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by New Zealanders. The awards celebrated the passing of 1990 and the beginning of 1991, and were announced on 31 December 1990.


1991 New Year Honours (New Zealand)
The recipients of honours are displayed here as they were styled before their new honour.


1991 New York City Marathon
The 1991 New York City Marathon was the 22nd running of the annual marathon race in New York City, United States, which took place on Sunday, November 3. The men's elite race was won by Mexico's Salvador García in a time of 2:09:28 hours while the women's race was won by Great Britain's Liz McColgan in 2:27:32.


1991 New York City Marathon
A total of 25,797 runners finished the race, 20,593 men and 5204 women.


1991 New York Film Critics Circle Awards
The 57th New York Film Critics Circle Awards, honoring the best filmmaking of 1991, were announced on 17 December 1991 and presented on 12 January 1992.


1991 New York Giants season
The 1991 New York Giants season was the franchise's 67th season in the National Football League. The Giants entered the season as the defending Super Bowl champion but failed to qualify for the playoffs. They were the eighth team in NFL history to enter a season as the defending Super Bowl champion and miss the playoffs, and became the first organization in NFL history to do so twice (the Giants missed out on the playoffs a season after winning Super Bowl XXI as well).


1991 New York Giants season
The 1991 season marked the first season that the Mara family did not have total ownership of the Giants. Wellington Mara's nephew Tim, who had inherited the half-stake in the team that his grandfather and namesake had given to Tim's father Jack, decided that he no longer wanted to be involved with the team after twenty-six years, most of which had been spent feuding with his uncle over the team's operations.


1991 New York Giants season
On February 2, 1991, shortly after Super Bowl XXV, Tim Mara announced he had sold his family's stake in the team to businessman Bob Tisch, the co-founder of Loews Corporation and former United States Postmaster General. Tisch did not take an active role in the operations of the team, instead choosing to focus on the team's finances; this enabled the Maras to keep control of the football side of the team and allowed Wellington Mara's son John to take a more active role with the Giants.


1991 New York Giants season
The 1991 season also marked the first time since 1983 that the Giants entered the season with a new head coach. Bill Parcells decided to retire following the Super Bowl victory and general manager George Young chose to promote Ray Handley, the team's running backs coach, to the position instead of promoting defensive coordinator Bill Belichick; Belichick would leave the Giants soon after to become head coach of the Cleveland Browns.


1991 New York Giants season
During the Giants' previous season Phil Simms entered the year as the starter and started the first fourteen games of the season. In the course of that fourteenth game, where the Giants hosted the Buffalo Bills, Simms suffered a severe foot injury and backup Jeff Hostetler took over and led the Giants through the playoffs and to their Super Bowl victory over those same Bills.


1991 New York Giants season
Simms did recover from his injury and was expected to regain his starting position, but Handley decided to make Simms and Hostetler compete for the position. Handley made his decision prior to the Giants' week one matchup with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football and gave the starting job to Hostetler amid some controversy. Hostetler led the Giants to 6 wins in his eleven starts, but broke his back during a week 13 win against Tampa Bay. Simms returned to finish the game, but went 2–3 as Giants starter the remainder of the year and the Giants fell out of the playoffs.


1991 New York Giants season, Offseason
After the 1990 season, in which the Giants won the Super Bowl, the Giants lost several members of their coaching staff. In addition to Parcells and Belichick, wide receivers coach Tom Coughlin took the head coaching position Boston College; he was said to have been the first choice to replace Parcells and would have done so had he not left the Giants.


1991 New York Jets season
The 1991 New York Jets season was the 32nd season for the team and the 22nd in the National Football League. It began with the team trying to improve upon its 6–10 record from 1990 under head coach Bruce Coslet. The Jets finished the season with a record of 8-8, qualifying for the wild card. They were defeated by the Houston Oilers in the Wild Card Game, 17-10.


1991 New York Jets season
For the second time in their history, the Jets suffered the embarrassment of losing at home to a team which would finish 1-15. The Colts defeated the Jets 28-27 at Giants Stadium in week 11, their lone win under interim coach Rick Venturi. In 1980, the Jets lost 21-20 to the Saints at Shea Stadium in week 15.


1991 New York Mets season
The 1991 New York Mets season was the 30th regular season for the Mets. They went 77-84 and finished fifth in the National League East for their first losing season since 1983. They were managed by Bud Harrelson and Mike Cubbage. They played home games at Shea Stadium.


1991 New York Mets season, Regular season
Howard Johnson set the Mets record for most RBIs in one season with 117.


1991 New York Mets season, Player stats, Batting, Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in


1991 New York Mets season, Player stats, Batting, Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in


1991 New York Mets season, Player stats, Pitching, Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts


1991 New York Mets season, Player stats, Pitching, Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts


1991 New York Mets season, Player stats, Pitching, Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts


1991 New York Mets season, Awards and honors, All-Stars
Frank Viola, Howard Johnson 1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game


1991 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees' 1991 season was the 89th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 71-91 finishing 20 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Stump Merrill. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.


1991 New York Yankees season, Player stats, Starters by position
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In


1991 New York Yankees season, Player stats, Starters by position, Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg.= Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In


1991 New York Yankees season, Player stats, Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings Pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned Run Average; SO = Strikeouts


1991 New York Yankees season, Player stats, Starting pitchers, Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings Pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned Run Average; SO = Strikeouts


1991 New York Yankees season, Player stats, Starting pitchers, Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned Run Average; SO = Strikeouts


1991 New Zealand NBL season
The 1991 NBL season was the 10th season of the National Basketball League. Hutt Valley won the championship in 1991 to claim their first league title.


1991 New Zealand National Soccer League
The 1991 New Zealand National Soccer League was the 22nd season of a nationwide round-robin club competition in New Zealand football.


1991 New Zealand National Soccer League, Promotion and relegation
Waterside Karori were relegated at the end of the 1990 season, to be replaced by the winner of a play-off series between teams from the northern, central, and southern leagues (Mount Albert-Ponsonby, Nelson United, and Burndale United respectively). Nelson United won the series to gain promotion, but there is some controversy about their participation in the play-offs as they had only finished second in the central regional league, which was won by Petone.


1991 New Zealand National Soccer League, Promotion and relegation
Gisborne City were relegated at the end of the 1991 season.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards
The 1991 New Zealand bravery awards were announced via a Special Honours List dated 19 December 1991. Twelve of the 33 recipients were recognised for acts of bravery during the Aramoana Massacre on 13 November 1990.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, George Cross (GC)
On 13 November 1990 at the seaside resort of Aramoana, located on the outskirts of Dunedin, a young man ran amok with a firearm and massacred twelve people before being fatally shot by Police the next day.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, George Cross (GC)
Sergeant Guthrie, the officer in charge of the Port Chalmers Police Station, was the sole duty officer at the time the incident was reported and was able to identify the gunman as a person he knew. Sergeant Guthrie went to the Aramoana township alone and armed. On arrival he was able to call on the services of another Constable. Sergeant Guthrie took immediate command of the situation, armed the Constable with a privately owned rifle and the pair reconnoitred the village.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, George Cross (GC)
Their every movement was fraught with danger as they moved about the village being constantly reminded of their own danger by the extent of the visible carnage, the gunman having already killed twelve people. With limited resources available to him and impending darkness Sergeant Guthrie had the task of locating and containing the crazed gunman, dealing with the wounded and preventing further loss of life. On arrival near the gunman's house Sergeant Guthrie deployed the Constable to cover the front of the house while he located himself at the more dangerous position at the rear.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, George Cross (GC)
A thin cordon of the gunman's house was later completed by the arrival of a Detective and two Constables. The gunman had been sighted within his house and it can only be presumed that Sergeant Guthrie chose the dangerous position based on his sense of responsibility and the fact that he knew the area and the gunman. The Sergeant had given clear and concise situation reports to Police control and clearly indicated his intention to contain the gunman.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, George Cross (GC)
Sergeant Guthrie could see the gunman inside the house and becameconcerned that he might soon move as he had blackened his face and taken up a backpack. The Sergeant reported the gunman breaking windows and endeavouring to throw what appeared to be an incendiary device into the house. After spending some time moving about his property, the gunman moved towards a Constable's position. Sergeant Guthrie reported his concern that he had lost sight of the gunman and warned the Detective to advise staff to be on the alert. A Constable had now sighted the gunman approaching him and issued a challenge, the gunman retreated in haste passing to the rear of his property.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, George Cross (GC)
Due to lack of communication Sergeant Guthrie was unaware of this movement. Sergeant Guthrie had taken cover in sand dunes at the rear of a crib (seaside cottage) next to the gunman's house when suddenly out of the darkness he was confronted by the gunman. Sergeant Guthrie very courageously challenged him , saying Stop ... .... , stop or I shoot. The Sergeant then discharged a warning shot from his .38 calibre police revolver. The gunman then moved around and down upon the sergeant killing him instantly in a volley of shots. The gunman then took the Sergeant's revolver. Throughout this ordeal Sergeant Guthrie displayed conspicuous courage. His actions in placing himself in danger to protect his staff and members of the public at the cost of his own life were selfless acts of heroism. His bravery and courage were in the highest traditions of the New Zealand Police.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, George Medal (GM)
Mrs Dickson was a resident at Aramoana when a man ran amok with a firearm on 13 November 1990. After hearing shots being fired, Mrs Dickson went to investigate and found smoke coming from a neighbour 's house . As Mrs Dickson endeavoured to prevent a man walking in the direction of the shooting, the gunman appeared and began firing shots. With two artificial hips and restricted arm movements through surgery Mrs Dickson, aged 72, was unable to run for cover and ushered the now wounded man to the roadside where they both fell to the ground.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, George Medal (GM)
Mrs Dickson ascertained the man had been seriously wounded in the lower back and was unable to move. With a display of great courage and resource Mrs Dickson dragged herself to a nearby telephone booth where she urgently summoned an ambulance and Police. She then crawled approximately 100 metres back to the wounded man and comforted him. Concerned at the delay in medical aid Mrs Dickson then crawled to her home and made further emergency calls. The injured man was rescued by Police but later died of his wounds.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, George Medal (GM)
Mrs Dickson continued a tense vigil communicating the gunman's nocturnal activities to Police by telephone throughout the night. Mrs Dickson's selfless and humane actions in staying with the wounded man in the face of grave danger and conveying situation reports to Police while alone at night with the constant fear of the gunman's appearance, are deserving of the highest praise.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Mr Crimp was a resident of the Aramoana village at the time a young man ran amok with a firearm on 13 November 1990. Attracted by a fire which the gunman had deliberately set alight, Mr Crimp with a friend went to alert Mr Magnus Jamieson of the danger. The gunman fired on both men as they attempted to gain entry to Mr Jamieson's house. The friend left, but Mr Crimp managed to gain entry to the house to warn Mr Jamieson. Mr Crimp was followed inside by the gunman who fatally shot both men in the living room. Mr Crimp's determined action in warning Mr Jamieson of the impending danger, at the cost of his own life, was an exemplary act of bravery.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Constable Harvey, was a member of the Dunedin Armed Offenders Squad deployed at Aramoana on 13-14 November 1990.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
With another Constable he maintained a cordon at the front of the gunman's house. Sergeant Guthrie was positioned at the rear of the house in which it was believed the gunman was contained. On learning the gunman was not within the thin Police cordon, he and the other constable set out in search of the gunman. Constable Harvey heard a verbal challenge to the gunman and made toward the direction of the voice. They were without radio communication and their every movement was fraught with danger.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Constable Harvey gained a fleeting view of the gunman as he walked over a higher piece of ground. The gunman fired a volley of shots at an unknown target. His possession of a .38 calibre police revolver indicated to Constable Harvey that a member of the Police had been incapacitated. Detective Knox was one of the initial group of Police to respond to the incident at Aramoana. Because of the lack of portable communication Sergeant Guthrie first deployed Detective Knox as a physical communicator between another Constable and himself.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Detective Knox moved variously between the Constable and a Police vehicle relaying the sergeant's orders. Detective Knox was then deployed to a cordon position near the gunman's house. The Detective observed the gunman outside the house carrying a burning object in one hand. Detective Knox returned to the Police vehicle and relayed his observation to Sergeant Guthrie. During the sergeant's return radio transmission Detective Knox heard the sergeant call out a challenge. There was an immediate volley of shots. Detective Knox realised Sergeant Guthrie's perilous position, and without regard for his own personal safety, called out to the sergeant. As the sergeant did not reply Detective Knox bravely moved across open ground to his last known position.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
After locating the slain Sergeant Guthrie and radioing the shooting of the sergeant to control, Detective Knox joined Constable Harvey. Believing the gunman might have further weapons in his house, and despite not knowing his exact whereabouts, the two policemen approached, entered and searched his premises. The gunman had decamped but the search revealed three high-powered firearms and a quantity of ammunition. Constable Harvey seized the weapons and removed them from the premises. Still without portable radio communication, Constable Harvey and Detective Knox decided to make for safer ground.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
During this movement the two policemen passed a parked utility vehicle where a number of bodies lay. Again, Constables Harvey and Knox exposed themselves to extreme danger while checking the vehicle and condition of the gunman's victims. Finding one of six people alive, the two policemen decided to instigate an evacuation. Constable Harvey exposed himself to further danger by returning to a Police vehicle to meet with the arriving Armed Offenders Squad and to arrange the evacuation. Detective Knox remained with a wounded girl for nearly 40 minutes before she was evacuated in a daring rescue. Constable Harvey and Detective Knox, in difficult and dangerous conditions, displayed exemplary acts of bravery in the highest traditions of the New Zealand Police.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Constables Van Turnhout and Weir, members of the Dunedin Armed Offender Squad were deployed in the Aramoana village on the evening of 13 November 1990. Constables Van Turnhout and Weir volunteered to recover two victims although the whereabouts of the gunman was unknown. They proceeded in a Police dog van into an open intersection to effect the recovery of a wounded man, knowing that they had virtually no protection from gunfire. Constable Weir positioned the van to allow Constable Van Turnhout to drag the wounded man into the passenger's side of the vehicle.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Constable Weir then reversed the vehicle at speed to a waiting ambulance. The victim later died. The second victim, a child, was being protected by Detective Knox near a utility van. This necessitated a further recovery attempt and again Constables Van Turnhout and Weir volunteered. They drove to the utility van and recovered two children, Detective Knox, Constable Harvey and two other persons. One of the children was dead and the other, although seriously wounded, survived the ordeal. Both recovery operations were exemplary acts of bravery in the highest traditions of the New Zealand Police.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
On 13 November 1990 at Aramoana, a young man ran amok with a firearm and massacred thirteen people before being fatally shot by Police the next day. Sergeant Kyne was the leader, and Constables Ashton, Barlass and McCarthy, members, of an Anti Terrorist Squad deployed in the Aramoana village.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
Sergeant Kyne led his team on a painstaking and methodical search of the nine houses in the village, in an endeavour to apprehend the gunman. In the course of the operation the gunman fired indiscriminate semi-automatic gunfire at Sergeant Kyne and his team. Constables Barlass and McCarthy attempted to lob tear gas grenades into the house amid heavy fire from the gunman. Without warning the gunman burst from the residence firing indiscriminately from the hip at Constables Ashton and McCarthy and others, calling for the Police to shoot him. Constable McCarthy appealed in vain for the gunman to drop his weapon, and simultaneously the gunman was hit and felled by return Police fire.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
Sergeant Kyne and his team placed themselves in a situation of extreme danger in order to apprehend the gunman. Their conduct was in the best traditions of the New Zealand Police.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
Miss Chiquita Holden, aged 9, resided with her father at Aramoana. At the time the gunman started firing shots, on 13 November 1990, Chiquita was visiting friends. She heard shouting and saw her father go to a neighbour's house. A further argument was followed by shooting and Chiquita learned her father had been shot. Almost immediately the gunman, a neighbour, entered the house she was in and shot her with a rifle.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to the Aramoana Massacre, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
After receiving a gunshot wound to her stomach and leg, and on her own initiative, she then ran from the house to obtain help and warn the neighbours, at the same time warning two young boys of the situation. Chiquita was driven back to the address where she found the house on fire, and was again shot at. Chiquita showed remarkable presence of mind, stamina and determined courage.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, George Medal (GM)
On the evening of Thursday 9 August 1990 a petrol tanker towing a trailer unit collided with a motor vehicle adjacent to a shopping centre at Wiri Station Road, Manukau City. On impact, the trailer unit overturned and a rapidly increasing and intense fire occurred from the large amount of blazing petrol that was escaping. There was a risk of a major conflagration and explosion.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, George Medal (GM)
Senior Fire Fighter Kennedy was with the first fire appliance crew to arrive at the scene and while carrying out initial duties he heard a scream and saw a hand moving from under the overturned trailer. He realised that a person was trapped under the trailer. He immediately went to the assistance of the trapped person, a young girl, and crawled under the trailer to be next to her. Although there was little he personally could do on his own to extricate the girl, he remained with her while other personnel provided protective water sprays onto him and the girl and positioned the necessary equipment to raise the overturned trailer to free the seriously injured girl.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, George Medal (GM)
Throughout the ordeal, Senior Fire Fighter Kennedy was himself in an extremely dangerous position, and the risking of his own life to preserve other life reflects the highest ideals and traditions of the New Zealand Fire Service. His presence played a large part in maintaining the confidence of the seriously injured girl, and in her being rescued alive, which from the outset was not a foregone conclusion.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, George Medal (GM)
In the early hours of Sunday 27 May 1990 there was an armed robbery at the Poolburn Hotel , Central Otago . As a result police throughout Central Otago were called out. Senior Constable Umbers , stationed at Ranfurly , was directed to go to the intersection of State Highway 85 and the Ida Valley Road. On route to this point and about five kilometres out of Ranfurly, he sighted a vehicle coming from the direction of Poolburn. Constable Umbers was alone and he took the decision that he should stop and check the motor vehicle.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, George Medal (GM)
He was aware that the offender was armed and that any vehicle he stopped could well be that of the offender. The first vehicle he stopped contained innocent people. Almost immediately after allowing this vehicle to proceed, he stopped a second vehicle which contained the offender. By radio he informed his superiors and other police of the action he was taking. He also advised details of the vehicle, its registration number and the number of occupants. He then failed to respond to any further calls.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, George Medal (GM)
It was subsequently established that the offender, who was known to Constable Umbers, on alighting from the vehicle was requested to place his hands on the bonnet of the Police car. Constable Umbers then proceeded to search the offender's car and it was while he was doing this that the offender started to argue and then attacked Constable Umbers, kicking him in the head. During the ensuing struggle the Constable's baton was wrestled off him and then used to violently beat him about the head, causing injuries that proved fatal. Constable Umbers acted in the highest traditions of the New Zealand Police.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
On 2 August 1988 Sergeant Akurangi was supervising a live grenade throwing practice for Territorial Force Recruits at Waiouru.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
A recruit and Sergeant Akurangi were standing side by side in a grenade throwing bay preparing to throw the first of two M67 high explosive fragmentation grenades. The recruit, in the process of removing the safety bail from the grenade, accidentally loosened his grip which allowed the safety lever to be released thereby arming the grenade. This type of grenade has a lethal radius of eight metres and remains extremely dangerous out to 15 metres. Once armed it explodes in approximately four seconds. The recruit froze, holding the armed grenade.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Sergeant Akurangi, immediately realizing the danger, calmly asked for the grenade. When the recruit failed to respond, Sergeant Akurangi forcibly removed the grenade from the recruit's hand and threw it out of the bay. He pushed the recruit to the ground and by calling "grenade" ensured that personnel in the adjourning bay were able to react appropriately.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
The grenade exploded in the air at very close range to Sergeant Akurangi's throwing bay and within a second of being thrown. His alertness, speed of reaction and presence of mind certainly saved both the recruit's and his own life. His professional sense of responsibility to the recruit testifies to his selfless bravery.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
On 13 February 1987, Warrant Officer Friis was conducting a live grenade throwing exercise for Territorial Force soldiers at W aiouru.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
A Territorial Force soldier with Warrant Officer Friis, his instructor, were side by side when an armed M67 high explosive fragmentation grenade thrown by the soldier accidentally landed inside the safe throwing bay within three metres of their position. The grenade, which has a lethal radius of eight metres and remains extremely dangerous out to 15 metres, was set to explode four seconds after leaving the soldier's hand. Warrant Officer Friis without hesitation lifted the soldier from the ground and attempted to drag him to safety.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
The soldier, now incoherent, slipped from Warrant Officer Friis' grasp after three metres and did not act further to save himself. Warrant Officer Friis again picked up the soldier and carried him to partial cover nine metres from the grenade where, throwing the soldier to the ground, he covered him with his own still partly exposed body as the grenade exploded.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Warrant Officer Friis' professional sense of responsibility and brave actions undoubtedly saved the life of the soldier.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
On the afternoon of 23 August 1988, Mr Sutton and his family were travelling south on State Highway 4. At Owhango they came upon a Traffic Officer who was lying on the ground near his patrol vehicle, being severely assaulted by a man.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Mr Sutton stopped his vehicle and went to the Traffic Officer's assistance only to be confronted by a second man pointing a pistol at him and the Traffic Officer. The gunman fired two shots at them, the second striking Mr Sutton in the leg. A third shot lodged in the side of Mr Sutton's vehicle containing his family. The gunman and his companion then promptly left the scene in their vehicle.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Mr Sutton, without thought for himself, displayed exemplary courage in going to the assistance of the Traffic Officer and almost certainly helped save his life.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
On the evening of 7 January 1990 Traffic Officer Thomas, accompanied by a Senior Traffic Sergeant, was on duty in a patrol vehicle at Kimbell, South Canterbury. Traffic Officer Thomas had reason to stop the driver of a motor vehicle, which unknown to both officers had recently been stolen and the driver armed. It was only after Traffic Officer Thomas had left the patrol vehicle that he became aware of the other driver aiming a .303 rifle at him.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
From where he was standing Traffic Officer Thomas could see that the rifle bolt was not quite pushed home and he took the opportunity to try and reason with the driver and perhaps disarm him. The armed man however, became agitated and moved out of range of the headlights into the darkness making further approaches to him difficult.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
At this point Traffic Officer Thomas and the Senior Traffic Sergeant decided to get away from the area. As the patrol car was moving away a shot was fired by the offender, which narrowly missed Traffic Officer Thomas and hit the other officer. A second shot through the rear window again hit the Senior Sergeant in the head. Traffic Officer Thomas travelled a short distance whereupon he stopped to assess his colleague's needs, and radio for medical assistance. He then proceeded to Fairlie where an ambulance and medical help was waiting to assist the Senior Sergeant who suffered horrific facial injuries. The offender was later apprehended by the New Zealand Police.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Traffic Officer Thomas, in dealing with a dangerous situation, displayed exemplary courage and his prompt actions saved the life of his fellow officer.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
For services on 1 May 1987, when at the Christchurch Women's Prison, he apprehended and disarmed an intruder who was inside the perimeter boundary fence area. The intruder had previously fired shots at lights around the institution. His prompt action in a dangerous situation enabled the security to be maintained and the safety of inmates and other staff.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
On 11 June 1987 during a military exercise between New Zealand and the Malaysian forces, a fuel pump on the deck of a Malaysian Army truck caught fire. A Malaysian Army driver drove the burning vehicle away from several helicopters about to be refuelled. The furiously blazing fuel pump and its petrol tank still intact fell from the truck and landed between two RNZAF Iroquois helicopters. Realising the imminent danger to onlookers (mainly children) and aircraft, Squadron Leader Bone assisted by Flight Sergeant Paterson, took extinguishers from their aircraft and ran to the fuel pump and extinguished the fire. Their prompt action in a most dangerous situation undoubtedly prevented loss of life and probable damage to two aircraft.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
On the morning of 17 July 1987, Mrs Vogel was acting as a parent volunteer supervisor of a school patrol crossing in Blighs Road, Christchurch City, for the Waimairi Primary School. The patrol was operating, with signs extended requiring drivers to stop, and four children were crossing the road, when it became clear to Mrs Vogel that an approaching car was unlikely to stop. She went onto the crossing in an attempt to wave down the car and/or pull the children from the path of the approaching vehicle. Despite her efforts the vehicle did not stop. It struck three of the children and Mrs Vogel. All four were seriously injured. Mrs Vogel in particular suffered head and leg injuries and a crushed vertebra. Of the children injured, one suffered a dislocated hip and another a cut to the forehead requiring stitches.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
On 27 November 1987, Corporal Lawry went to the assistance of 10 people involved in an accident between a motorcycle and a van on State Highway 1, north of Taihape. As the first person to arrive at the scene, he found the motorcycle's petrol tank had, on impact separated, and was on fire near the van's petrol tank. On finding the motorcycle pillion passenger under the van with her clothes on fire, he beat out the flames with his gloved hands and removed her to safety.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
He then went to the rear of the van and removed eight passengers, including six children, to safety. One woman was in shock and remained trapped in the van. Corporal Lawry sat with her inside the van, now burning, until firemen arrived and removed the seat to permit the woman's escape.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
For services in the early hours of the morning of 11 January 1988 when, at considerable risk to his own safety, he was instrumental in preventing a woman from jumping off the Auckland Harbour Bridge. He leant over the safety rail, and gripping it with his knees, grabbed the woman under her arms and then, assisted by Police, pulled her to safety.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
On 6 July 1988, Mr Reid, a sharemilker, went to the assistance of a man trapped in his motor vehicle and suffering from concussion and cuts to his head and unable to free himself from the seatbelt. The vehicle's engine was on fire and flames had begun to pierce through the dashboard. Mr Reid cut the seatbelt with his bloat knife and dragged the injured driver through the broken windscreen just before the vehicle was engulfed in flames.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
On the afternoon of 23 August 1988, Traffic Officer Ian Harrison stopped the driver of a motor vehicle for speeding on State Highway 4 at Owhango. He asked the driver back to his patrol vehicle in order to issue a Traffic Offence Notice. He also suspected the driver to be under the influence of alcohol so he carried out a breath screening test. At this point a passenger of the offender's vehicle approached the patrol car in what appeared to be a menacing manner. Realising that the situation was becoming ominous, Traffic Officer Harrison radioed for help.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
At this stage the person he was processing assaulted him. The passenger then became involved by restraining Traffic Officer Harrison around the neck with the radio telephone cord which had been torn from its mounting. Following several further blows to Traffic Officer Harrison the two men decided that the passenger would take Traffic Officer Harrison hostage in the patrol car and travel south with Traffic Officer Harrison driving, while the other man would lead in his vehicle.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
Traffic Officer Harrison while still restrained tightly around the neck by the radio cord, began a U-turn in order to follow the other vehicle. He had already unlocked his car door and while executing the U-turn he opened the door and rolled out of the car onto the road. Traffic Officer Harrison's captor jumped out of the car after him and severely assaulted him. At this point Mr Peter Sutton, who was travelling south with his family, came upon the scene.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
He stopped and went to Traffic Officer Harrison's assistance only to be confronted by the original offender pointing a pistol at both of them. The gunman fired two shots, the second hitting Mr Sutton in the leg. A third shot lodged in the side of Mr Sutton's vehicle containing his family. The gunman and his companion promptly left the scene in their vehicle.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
For services at Murupara on 10 May 1989 when, faced by an armed and dangerous offender, who was being sought by the Police, he displayed courage and initiative in managing to overpower and finally arrest the man, in the course of which both barrels of a sawn-off shotgun were discharged very close to him.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
On 8 February 1990 a group of nine soldiers were caught in a rip while swimming at Karioitahi Beach, Auckland. Gunner Barclay managed to rescue one soldier and although close to exhaustion, commandeered a surf board and re-entered the surf and rescued a second soldier. His total disregard for his own safety almost certainly saved the two soldiers from drowning.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
On 7 May 1990 a 16 year old youth appeared before Judge Augusta Wallace in the Otahuhu Youth Court on four various charges. The Judge remanded the accused into Social Welfare custody and then addressed some comments to him. The youth took exception to these comments and then without warning produced a machete, moved towards the Judge, raised it above his head and brought it down on the right-hand side of the Judge's head, inflicting horrific injuries.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
Sergeant Whitmore, the Police prosecutor, was seated at the back of the court room and upon seeing what was taking place moved forward to restrain the youth. He could not prevent the first blow being struck but managed, with assistance, to prevent a further attack. Sergeant Whitmore then took control of the situation and rendered first aid to the Judge. His prompt and brave actions almost certainly saved the Judge's life.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
On the evening of Thursday 9 August 1990 a petrol tanker towing a trailer unit collided with a motor vehicle adjacent to a shopping centre at Wiri Station Road, Manukau City. On impact, the trailer unit overturned and a rapidly increasing and intense fire occurred from the large amount of blazing petrol that was escaping. There was a risk of a major conflagration and explosion. A young girl was discovered trapped under the overturned trailer.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
Divisional Officer Warby arranged for protective sprays to be directed on the area in which the girl was trapped and being comforted by a fellow fire Fighter. He crawled in under the trailer to ascertain what additional assistance he could provide. He then proceeded to move round under the tanker and trailer for periods over an hour coordinating the work of raising the vehicle to allow rescue. Assistant Commander Woods was also involved in the efforts to extricate the girl. He not only had to control the New Zealand Fire Service resources in protecting the casualty and a fellow Fire Fighter comforting the girl but also had to organise the personnel and materials to effect a rapid and safe rescue.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
The skill and devotion to duty of both officers in placing themselves in positions of great danger reflects the highest ideals and traditions of the New Zealand Fire Service.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
On 12 August 1990 Traffic Officer Anderson, disregarding his own safety and in bitterly cold, wet and dangerous conditions, clambered down with the aid of a rope, the slippery face of the Forest View Waterfalls in the Mangamuku Gorge to rescue an English tourist. He found the man in a deep pool, about 30 feet below, but the man had apparently died from his injuries. He then assisted with the recovery of the body. The tourist had fallen over the edge of the waterfalls while filming.


1991 New Zealand bravery awards, In relation to other events, Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
On the afternoon of 27 October 1990, Mr Thorpe was an eyewitness at the scene of a collision between three vehicles on State Highway 2. One of the vehicles exploded into flames after being hit from behind and was forced into the path of another vehicle. Disregarding his personal safety he rushed to the burning vehicle and pulled the unconscious driver to safety, then returned and assisted another occupant to escape the wreckage. His prompt actions without doubt saved the life of the driver of the vehicle.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season
The 1991 New Zealand rugby league season was the 84th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the National Provincial Competition that was won by Auckland.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, International competitions
The New Zealand national rugby league team hosted a tour by the French side before themselves touring Australia. The Kiwis won the French series 2-0 but lost to Australia 1-2.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, International competitions
The French opened the tour by losing to the Kiwi Colts, who were coached by Frank Endacott and included David Bailey, Whetu Taewa, captain Mark Nixon, Aaron Whittaker, Syd Eru, Jason Lowrie, Simon Angell, Des Maea and Tony Tuimavave. They then lost the First Test match, held at Carlaw Park, 60-6, before losing to a Howie Tamati coached Presidents XIII 54-2. The French then defeated the West Coast 14-6, their only victory of the tour, before losing the second Test, at the Addington Showgrounds, 32-10. The second Test counted for the 1992 World Cup and New Zealand claimed the two qualifying points. The French then carried on to Papua New Guinea, playing four matches, before heading home.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, International competitions
New Zealand headed to Australia to play a three match series, without any touring matches. In the first Test, held in Melbourne, New Zealand upset Australia, winning 24-8. However the Australians bounced back in the second Test, winning 44-0, before defeating New Zealand 40-12 in the third Test to win the match, the series and the World Cup points.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, International competitions
The Kiwis were coached by Bob Bailey and managed by Ray Haffenden. The squad for the French Tests included Frano Botica, Sam Panapa, Jarrod McCracken, Dave Watson, Richard Blackmore, Kelly Shelford, Gary Freeman, Peter Brown, Duane Mann, Brent Todd, Dean Lonergan, Emosi Koloto, Tawera Nikau, Clayton Friend, George Mann, Mike Patton and Gary Mercer. Jason Williams, Tony Kemp, Esene Faimalo and Kevin Iro were included for the Australian matches. The ex-rugby union players playing in the Winfield Cup; John Schuster, Matthew Ridge, Daryl Halligan and Kurt Sherlock were unavailable due to a dispute between the clubs and the NZRL.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, International competitions
Before the French touring party arrived in New Zealand a Kiwis trial was held. Emosi Koloto (Widnes), Gary Mercer and Duane Mann (Warrington), Frano Botica and Kevin Iro (Wigan), Tea Ropati and George Mann (St Helens), David Watson (Hull KR), Clayton Friend (Carlisle), Peter Brown (Halifax), Mike Kuiti (Leeds) and Brad Iti and Darrall Shelford (Bradford Northern) all returned from England for the trial. Richard Blackmore was the surprise inclusion. The Probables won 31-8.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, International competitions
The New Zealand Māori side played against Waikato during the year to celebrate the Māori queen's 25th jubilee. The Māori side included Frano Botica, in his first match in the country, Clayton Friend, Jason Lowrie, Sean Hoppe, Solomon Kiri and Kelly Shelford.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, International competitions
The Junior Kiwis defeated BARLA 2-0 in a "Test series", winning the first match 34-16 and the second match 28-0. The Junior Kiwis were coached by Howie Tamati and included Bryan Laumatia, William Poching, Solomon Kiri, Tana Umaga, Brady Malam and captain Stephen Kearney. The under-15 national side included Steve Berryman.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, International competitions
Brent Todd was the New Zealand Rugby League's player of the year. At the New Zealand Rugby League's AGM Bill Sorensen was awarded life membership. Sorensen began his playing career with Ponsonby in 1950 and had also served as a coach and a national selector.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, National competitions, Rugby League Cup
Wellington, who won the Rugby League Cup in 1990, successfully defended the cup twice, defeating the West Coast 44-10 and Bay of Plenty 40-8 before losing the trophy 24-25 to Auckland. Auckland then defeated the Bay of Plenty 58-14 before losing 24-33 to Canterbury, who ended the season holding the trophy.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, National competitions, National Provincial Competition, Second Division
In August a Northern Provinces team defeated Southern Provinces 32-10. Northern Provinces included Jason Mackie and Tukere Barlow.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, National competitions, National Club Competition
The national club competition, called the Lion Red League Nationals for sponsorship reasons, was won by the Northcote Tigers for the third time. The Tigers defeated the Randwick Kingfishers 30-12 to win the National Club Final at Carlaw Park.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, National competitions, National Club Competition
The Central-Mosgiel Cobras (Southland) defeated the Wakatipu Giants (Otago) 17-16 to qualify for the tournament.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, National competitions, National Club Competition
1 Flaxmere were disqualified for not paying the entry fee; Randwick were advanced to the quarter-finals.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Australian competitions
During the pre-season to the Winfield Cup, the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Balmain Tigers played matches in New Zealand. Manly defeated the Wainuiomata Lions 20-8 at Fraser Park on 27 January in front of 10,000 fans.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Australian competitions
On 8 March Balmain drew 16-all with an Auckland Invitational XIII. The Invitational side included four players from outside of Auckland; John Lomax, Brent Stuart, Whetu Taewa and Syd Eru.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Australian competitions
In late September the North Sydney Bears and Western Suburbs Magpies competed in a $100,000 Lion Red Showdown at Carlaw Park along with Auckland and Canterbury. In the semi finals Auckland defeated Canterbury 14-13 while Norths defeated Wests 30-12. Canterbury then drew with Wests 18-all while Auckland bet Norths 8-4 in the final to claim the prize money. Canterbury, who refused to recognise the matches with full representative status, drafted in Paddy Tuimavave to their side.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Auckland
Minor premiers, the Northcote Tigers, claimed the Fox Memorial with a 23-20 win over the Otahuhu Leopards. The Tigers also won the Stormont Shield, Rukutai Shield and Roope Rooster.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Auckland
Joe, John, Peter, Tea and Iva Ropati all played one match together for the Mangere East Hawks on 29 June. It was the only time all five brothers played in the same team. Tea, Joe and Peter had returned from England for Tea's wedding. Bryan Laumatia also played for Mangere East.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Auckland
Dean Clark, Des Maea, Francis Leota, Richard Blackmore and Kelly Shelford played for Otahuhu Leopards, who were coached by Joe Gwynne. Richmond included Mike Setefano and James Pickering while David Bailey played for the Te Atatu Roosters and Se'e Solomona played for Glenora.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Auckland
The Northcote Tigers were coached by Graeme Norton and included captain Tony Tuimavave, Fa'ausu Afoa, Don Stewart, Logan Campbell, Sean Hoppe, Ken McIntosh, Stu Galbraith, Jason Lowrie, Jason Palmada and Latham Tawhai.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Wellington
The Wainuiomata Lions finished minor premiers and met Randwick in the Wellington Rugby League's Grand Final. Wainuiomata prevailed 14-6 to win the Appleton Shield.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Wellington
The Wainuiomata Lions included John Lomax, Emosi Koloto, Tana Umaga and Yogi Rogers while the Randwick Kingfishers included George Lajpold, Stephen Kearney, Robert Piva, Barry Harvey and Denvour Johnston. Morvin Edwards and Syd Eru played for Upper Hutt.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Canterbury
Hornby defeated Halswell 18-8 in the Canterbury Rugby League grand final.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Canterbury
Hornby defeated Suburbs 62-10 to retain the Thacker Shield for Canterbury. The score was the highest winning margin and a record total in Thacker Shield clashes.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Canterbury
Hornby were coached by Wayne Wallace, managed by Ross Taylor and included Simon Angell, Blair Harding and Mark Nixon.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Canterbury
Halswell included player-coach Gordon Smith, Whetu Taewa and Aaron Whittaker while Brent Stuart played for Addington and Logan Edwards represented Marist-Western.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Other competitions
The Takahiwai Warriors, who included Jason Mackie, again won the Northland Rugby League title, defeating the Portland Panthers 16-8 in the final. The Pawarenga Broncos were awarded the Far North title after the Ngati Kahu Sharks forfeited the final due to player illness while the Tautoro Commodores defeated the Hokianga Pioneers 32-22 in extra time to win the Bay of Islands title in front of 2,000 fans.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Other competitions
Hamilton City, who included Tukere Barlow, dominated the Waikato Rugby League and won the grand final 13-0 over Ngaruawahia. Martin Moana played for Huntly South. The Turangi Dambusters defeated Pikiao 30-4 in the Bay of Plenty Rugby League final. Russell Stewart played for the Ngongotaha Chiefs.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Other competitions
The Kaiti Devils won the Gisborne-East Coast Rugby League competition with a 28-18 win over Wairoa while the Flaxmere Falcons won the Hawke's Bay Rugby League title 12-10 over the Tamatea Eagles. The Waitara Bears defeated the Western Suburbs Tigers 12-8 to win the Taranaki Rugby League title. Waiouru defeated Linton 18-17 in the Manawatu Rugby League grand final.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Other competitions
Nelson, who were coached by former Kiwi Kevin Dixon, played a three match series against Marlborough, winning the first 30-20 before losing the second 24-32 and drawing the third match 26-all.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Other competitions
Suburbs won the West Coast Rugby League title in its 26th year. Marist included Wayne Dwyer.


1991 New Zealand rugby league season, Club competitions, Other competitions
The Central-Mosgiel Cobras won the Otago Premiership while He Tauaa defeated the Wakatipu Giants 24-12 in the Southland final.


1991 New Zealand rugby union tour of Argentina
The 1991 New Zealand rugby union tour of Argentina was a series of matches played in June and July 1991 in Argentina by New Zealand national rugby union team.