1883 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1883 in New Zealand.

Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

Head of State – Queen Victoria
Governor – Lieutenant-General Sir William Jervois begins his term on 20 January.

Government and law

The 8th New Zealand Parliament continues.

Speaker of the House – Maurice O'Rorke.
Premier – Frederick Whitaker is replaced by Harry Atkinson on 25 September
Minister of Finance – Harry Atkinson
Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast

Main centre leaders

Mayor of Auckland – James Clark followed by William Waddel
Mayor of Christchurch – George Ruddenklau
Mayor of Dunedin – James Bryce Thomson followed by William Parker Street
Mayor of Wellington – George Fisher

Events

1 March - A telephone exchange is opened in Wellington.
The Hokitika Guardian and Hokitika Evening Star merge to form the Hokitika Guardian and Star.
September: The Waikato Mail ceases publication. The Cambridge newspaper started in 1880.
19 February: Pacifist leaders Te Whiti o Rongomai and To hu are released from prison, where they had been held without trial since November 1881.
July: The Waikato Gazette & Thames Valley Recorder begins publishing. It was absorbed by the Cambridge News in 1889.
the New Zealand Shipping Company was formed in Christchurch.

Sport

Cricket

Horse racing

The New Zealand Cup is so-named, the race having been run under another name since 1865.

New Zealand Cup winner: Tasman
New Zealand Derby winner: Oudeis
Auckland Cup winner: Salvage
Wellington Cup winner: Mischief

Rugby

The Auckland Rugby Union is formed.
Provincial club rugby champions include:

Shooting

Ballinger Belt: Sergeant Kennedy

Births

14 May – Charlie Seeling, rugby footballer
4 August – Sydney Smith, forensic pathologist
31 October – Anthony Wilding, tennis player

Full date unknown

Ngapipi Reweti, land negotiator

Deaths

30 March – Edward Graham McMinn, politician
30 June – William Cutten, politician
30 December – David Hay, nurseryman