1877 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1877 in New Zealand.

Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

Head of State – Queen Victoria
Governor – The Marquess of Normanby

Government and law

The 6th New Zealand Parliament continues.

Speaker of the House – Sir William Fitzherbet
Premier – Harry Atkinson is defeated as Premier on 13 October and is replaced by Sir George Grey
Minister of Finance – When Harry Atkinson is defeated as Premier on 13 October he also loses the position of Treasurer. On 15 October William Larnach is chosen as his replacement.
Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast

Main centre leaders

Mayor of Auckland City – William Hurst followed by Henry Brett
Mayor of Christchurch – Fred Hobbs followed by James Gapes
Mayor of Dunedin – Charles Stephen Reeves followed by Richard Henry Leary
Mayor of Wellington – William Hutchison

Events

The Treaty of Waitangi ruled a "simply nullity" in "Wi Parata v the Bishop of Wellington"

Sport

Athletics">Athletics New Zealand">Athletics

The Auckland Amateur Athletic Club is formed.

Cricket

The Canterbury Cricket Association is formed.
An England XI under the leadership of James Lillywhite tours in January and February. None of the fixtures were first class, and all the home sides field teams of between 18 and 22 players. The team went on to Australia to play the first ever Test matches.

Horse racing

New Zealand Cup winner: Mata
New Zealand Derby winner: Trump Card
Auckland Cup winner: Lara
Wellington Cup winner: Guy Fawkes

Rugby union

The following rugby clubs were formed: Athletic, Waverley, Merivale, Leeston, Southbridge, Rakaia, and Otago University.

Shooting

Ballinger Belt: Lieutenant Paynter

Births

9 April: Jane Mander, novelist
18 April Alfred Murdoch, politician.
18 April:Arthur Stallworthy, politician.
19 April: George Mitchell, soldier and politician
ca. October: Te Rangi Hīroa , Māori leader.
: Thomas Otto Bishop, politician.
25 November: Thomas David Burnett, politician.
4 December: John Christopher Rolleston, politician.

Deaths

5 January: Sir Donald McLean, politician.
13 January: Margaret Forbes innkeeper and land protester
15 February: David Monro, politician.
8 November: Alfred Ludlam, politician.