Portal:New Zealand/Anniversaries/January/January 1

• 1949 - New Zealanders become citizens of New Zealand, having previously been British citizens.
• 1962 - Western Samoa achieves independence from New Zealand; its name is changed to the Independent State of Western Samoa.

Births

• 1833 - Robert Lawson, architect

Deaths

• 1994 - Lord Arthur Espie Porritt, Governor-General (b. 1900)