1838 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1838 in New Zealand.

Regal and viceregal

 * Head of State – Queen Victoria
 * Governor of New South Wales – Sir George Gipps, having been appointed on 5 October 1837, arrives in Sydney on 23 February.

Government and law

 * British Resident in New Zealand — James Busby

Events

 * 10 January
 * — Bishop Jean Baptiste Pompallier arrives in New Zealand at Totara Point on the Hokianga Harbour.
 * — Flax trader James Farrow purchases an acre of land at Otumoetai, Tauranga.
 * 13 January – Bishop Pompallier celebrates the first Catholic mass on land in New Zealand at the home of Thomas and Mary Poynton at Totara Point.
 * February
 * — The offer of a Royal charter to the New Zealand Association to take responsibility for the administration of New Zealand is withdrawn. (see 1837, December).
 * April
 * — The French whaler Cachalot, commanded by Jean Langlois, arrives in New Zealand waters and commences whaling near the Chatham Islands.
 * May
 * — The Cachalot arrives at Banks Peninsula accompanied by the French corvette Héroine.
 * 2 August – Jean Langlois completes the purchase of Banks Peninsula from local Māori and makes a downpayment of goods to the value of 150 francs. Captain Cecille of the Héroine raises the French flag and proclaims French sovereignty over Banks Peninsula.
 * August
 * — The New Zealand Association is wound up. In its place the New Zealand Colonisation Company and the New Zealand Land Company are established. (see also 1839)


 * Undated
 * The Reverend Alfred Nesbitt Brown re-opens the Anglican mission at Tauranga. (see also 1836 & 1837)
 * Three Gisborne Māori, having had Christian instruction in the Bay of Islands, return as catechists.

Births

 * 6 October (in Scotland): John McKenzie, politician.
 * (unknown date, in Yorkshire England): Henry Hirst, politician.