1849 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1849 in New Zealand.

Population
The estimated population of New Zealand at the end of 1849 is 67,000 Māori and 19,543 non-Māori.

Regal and viceregal

 * Head of State – Queen Victoria
 * Governor – Sir George Grey

Government and law

 * Chief Justice – William Martin
 * Lieutenant Governor, New Munster – Edward John Eyre
 * Lieutenant Governor, New Ulster – George Dean Pitt

Events

 * 4 January: The Māori language magazine, The Maori Messenger or Ko te Karere Maori publishes its first issue, replacing Te Karere o Nui Tireni which stopped publishing in 1846. The magazine continues under several titles until 1863.

Economy

 * The first coal mine in New Zealand is opened at Saddle Hill near Dunedin.

Horse racing
The committee which has been controlling the racing at Epsom since 1841, ceases to function.

Births

 * 6 February: John Aitken, Mayor of Wellington.
 * 27 April (in India): Alfred Newman, Mayor of Wellington.

Deaths

 * 27 November: Te Rauparaha, tribal leader