1885 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1885 in New Zealand.

Regal and viceregal

 * Head of State – Queen Victoria
 * Governor – Lieutenant-General Sir William Jervois.

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

Horse racing

 * New Zealand Cup winner: Fusilade
 * New Zealand Derby winner: Stonyhurst
 * Auckland Cup winner: Nelson (Australian owned)
 * Wellington Cup winner: Mahaki


 * see also Category:Horse racing in New Zealand.

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:
 * see also Category:Rugby union in New Zealand

Shooting
Ballinger Belt: Lieutenant Lucas (Thames)

Births

 * 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