1880 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1880 in New Zealand.

Regal and viceregal

 * Head of State – Queen Victoria
 * Governor – Sir Hercules Robinson leaves on 9 September to take up the position of High Commissioner in South Africa. The Hon. Sir Arthur Hamilton-Gordon becomes Governor on 29 November.

Government and law
The 7th New Zealand Parliament continues.


 * Speaker of the House – Maurice O'Rorke.
 * Premier – John Hall (New Zealand)
 * Minister of Finance – Harry Atkinson
 * Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast

Main centre leaders

 * Mayor of Auckland – Thomas Peacock followed by James Clark
 * Mayor of Christchurch – Charles Thomas Ick
 * Mayor of Dunedin – Archibald Hilson Ross
 * Mayor of Wellington – William Hutchison

Events

 * September: The Waikato Mail begins publishing in Cambridge. The newspaper is produced three times a week. It ceases to publish in 1883.

Undated
Wellington Teachers College is opened.

Horse racing

 * New Zealand Cup winner: Le Loup
 * New Zealand Derby winner: Sir Mordred
 * Auckland Cup winner: Foul Play
 * Wellington Cup winner: Foul Play


 * see also Category:Horse races in New Zealand.

Rugby union
The Wellington Union is the first to hold a club championships.

Provincial club rugby champions
Wellington: Athletic

Shooting
Ballinger Belt: Sergeant Okey (Taranaki)

Swimming
The first swimming club in New Zealand, Christchurch Amateur Swimming Club, is formed on 11 October. It is soon followed by others throughout New Zealand.

Tennis
Prior to this year there are tennis clubs in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. As well as tennis club members also play croquet, bowls and archery.

Births

 * 3 August: Arthur Hall, politician.

Deaths

 * 9 March: Edward Hargreaves, Member of Parliament.
 * 12 March: Thomas Birch, Member of Parliament
 * 27 July: David Forsyth Main, Member of Parliament.