1894 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1894 in New Zealand.

Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

Government and law

The 12th New Zealand Parliament continues with the Liberal Party in power.

Speaker of the House – Sir Maurice O'Rorke becomes Speaker for the second time, replacing William Steward
Prime Minister – Richard Seddon
Minister of Finance – Joseph Ward
Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast

Parliamentary opposition

Leader of the Opposition – William Russell.

Main centre leaders

Mayor of Auckland – James Holland
Mayor of Christchurch – Eden George followed by Thomas Gapes
Mayor of Dunedin – Henry Fish
Mayor of Wellington – Alfred Brandon

Events

30 October: Luxury steamer SS Wairarapa, carrying 230 passengers from Sydney bound for Auckland, is wrecked on Great Barrier Island with the loss of 135 lives.

;Undated

American balloonist Leila Adair tours New Zealand. She is possibly the first woman to fly in New Zealand.
New Zealand enacts the world's first national minimum wage law, by the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act.

Sport

Leonard Cuff is appointed a Founding Member of the International Olympic Committee. He remains the member for both New Zealand and Australia until 1905.

Athletics

100 yards – Jack Hempton
250 yards – H. Reeves
440 yards – W. Low
880 yards – W. Low
1 mile – C. Morpeth
3 miles – C. Morpeth
120 yards hurdles – Harold Batger
440 yards hurdles – Harold Batger
Long jump – Wallingford Mendelson
High jump – H. Bailey
Pole vault –H. Kingsley
Shot put – O. McCormack
Hammer throw – O. McCormack

Chess

National Champion: J. Edwards, of Wellington.

Golf

The 2nd National Amateur Championships were held in Christchurch
* Men: H. Macneil
* Women : Mrs C. Wilder

Horse racing

Harness racing

Auckland Trotting Cup is won by Tom Hicks

Thoroughbred racing

New Zealand Cup – Impulse
New Zealand Derby – Blue Fire
Auckland Cup – Lottie
Wellington Cup – Vogengang

Season leaders (1893/94)

Top New Zealand stakes earner – Blue Fire
Leading flat jockey – J. Connop

Lawn Bowls

The pairs championship is held for the first time.
National Champions

Singles – T. Sneddon
Pairs – T. Sneddon and H. Reid
Fours – J. Davidson, A. Owen, J. Wedderspoon and J. Evans

Polo

Savile Cup winners – Rangitikei

Rowing

National Champions

Single sculls – M. Keefe
Double sculls – Union, Christchurch
Coxless pairs – Union, Christchurch
Coxed fours – Lyttelton

Rugby union

Provincial club rugby champions include:

Shooting

Ballinger Belt – Captain E. Smith

Soccer

Provincial Champions:

Auckland: Alliance United
Wellington: Wellington Rovers
Otago: Roslyn Dunedin

Swimming

National Champions

100 yards freestyle – T. Needham
220 yards freestyle – W. Gormley
440 yards freestyle – W. Gormley
880 yards freestyle – W. Gormley

Tennis

National championships

Men's singles – M. Fenwicke
Women's singles – M. Spiers
Men's doubles – J. Marshall and P. Marshall
Women's doubles – P. Chapman and M. Nicholson

Births

2 February – Rongowhakaata Pere Halbert, Māori leader, historian, interpreter, genealogist
24 February – Victor Spencer, soldier executed in World War I, pardoned in 2000
1 June – Paraire Karaka Paikea, politician
14 July: – Paddy Kearins, politician.
21 July – Toko Rātana, Rātana church leader and politician
13 August: – Fintan Patrick Walsh, trade unionist.
10 November: – Andrew Davidson, educationalist

Deaths

5 June: Vincent Pyke, politician
16 September: Robert Hart, politician.