1885 in New Zealand
The following lists events that happened during 1885 in New Zealand.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal
Government and law
The 9th New Zealand Parliament continues.- Speaker of the House – Maurice O'Rorke.
- Premier – Robert Stout
- Minister of Finance – Julius Vogel
- Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast
Main centre leaders
- Mayor of Auckland – William Waddel
- Mayor of Christchurch – Charles Hulbert
- Mayor of Dunedin – Arthur Scoular followed by John Barnes
- Mayor of Wellington – George Fisher
Events
- 1 June: The Cambridge News starts publication. It is produced three times a week. The newspaper closed in 1889.
- 1 August: The New Zealand Industrial Exhibition opens in Wellington
Sport
Horse racing
- New Zealand Cup winner: Fusilade
- New Zealand Derby winner: Stonyhurst
- Auckland Cup winner: Nelson
- Wellington Cup winner: Mahaki
Rowing
The Wellington Rowing Club is formed in Wellington.Rugby union
The Nelson union is formed. It is now part of the Tasman Rugby Union.Provincial club rugby champions include:
Shooting
Ballinger Belt: Lieutenant LucasBirths
- 24 February: Charles Cotton, geologist.
- 8 September: Robert Laidlaw, businessman.
Deaths
- 12 June: John Sheehan, politician.
- Full date unknown:
- * William John Larkin, New Zealand priest, Irish nationalist and newspaper proprietor