1876 in New Zealand
The following lists events that happened during 1876 in New Zealand.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal
Government and law
The 1875 general election, which started on 29 December, concludes on 4 January. The 6th New Zealand Parliament commences.Premier Atkinson abolishes the New Zealand provincial system on 1 November.
- Speaker of the House – Sir William Fitzherbet replaces Sir Francis Dillon Bell who did not stand for election at the end of 1875
- Premier – Daniel Pollen resigns on 15 February. Julius Vogel takes over until retiring on 1 September and is in turn replaced by Harry Atkinson.
- Minister of Finance – Julius Vogel takes over as Treasurer from Harry Atkinson when he becomes Premier on 15 February. When Vogel retires on 1 September Atkinson resumes the position.
- Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast
Main centre leaders
- Mayor of Auckland City – Benjamin Tonks followed by William Hurst
- Mayor of Christchurch – Fred Hobbs
- Mayor of Dunedin – Keith Ramsay followed by Henry John Walter
- Mayor of Wellington – William Hutchison
Events
- 18 February: The first trans-Tasman submarine communications cable is completed, allowing telegraph communications with the rest of the world.
- 4 April: Speight's is first brewed in Dunedin.
- 30 December: The Daily Southern Cross publishes its last issue, and merges with The New Zealand Herald. The Auckland-based newspaper began publishing as The Southern Cross in 1843.
Sport
Cricket
The Otago Cricket Association is formed.Horse racing
Major race winners
- New Zealand Cup – Guy Fawkes
- New Zealand Derby – Songster
- Auckland Cup – Ariel
- Wellington Cup – Korari
Lawn bowls
The first interclub competition in the country is held between the Dunedin and Fernhill clubs.Rugby union
- Rugby clubs were founded in Marton, Bulls, and Sanson, Oamaru, Hawera, Patea, Invercargill, Otautau, Riverton, Greytown, Masterton, Rangiora, Waimate, Kaiapoi and Te Awamutu.
- A combined side from Canterbury toured Nelson, Wellington, and Auckland
Shooting
Ballinger Belt – Private J. WillocksBirths
- 21 January: Tom Cross, rugby union and rugby league player.
- 24 February: Ernie Booth, rugby union player.
- 23 March: Sally Low, social reformer and peace campaigner.
- 6 April: Harold Williams, linguist.
- 11 April Michael Reardon, political activist
- 7 June: Albert Samuel, politician
Deaths
- 26 August: Henry Balneavis, soldier
- 22 November: Charles Flinders Hursthouse, author and settler.