1887 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1887 in New Zealand.

Regal and viceregal

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

Government and law
In the general election on 22 July the Premier Robert Stout loses his seat. A new ministry is formed, the 10th New Zealand Parliament, on 8 October, with Harry Atkinson as Premier, and is announced on 11 October. This is the Atkinson's fourth separate term as Premier.


 * Speaker of the House – Maurice O'Rorke.
 * Premier – Harry Atkinson replaces Robert Stout
 * Minister of Finance – Harry Atkinson replaces Julius Vogel
 * Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast

Main centre leaders

 * Mayor of Auckland – Albert Devore
 * Mayor of Christchurch – Aaron Ayers
 * Mayor of Dunedin – Richard Henry Leary followed by William Dawson
 * Mayor of Wellington – Samuel Brown

Athletics
The Canterbury, Hawke's Bay, Otago and Southland clubs form the New Zealand Amateur Athletics Association, now Athletics New Zealand. Auckland refuses to join. The NZAAA is "one of the two oldest national bodies among the members of the IAAF". The first New Zealand Championships will be held towards the end of the 1887–88 season (see 1888).


 * 1 October – A. G. Sheath, with Shot Put, 10.21 m at Napier, makes the first performance to be recognised as a national record.

Horse racing
The Auckland Cup of 1887 is moved to January 1888. Subsequently the Auckland Cup is normally scheduled for New Year's Day.

Major race winners

 * New Zealand Cup – Lochiel
 * New Zealand Derby – Maxim
 * Auckland Cup – Moved to 1888
 * Wellington Cup – Pasha

Lawn bowls
The first singles championship is held.

National Champions

 * Singles – S. Manning (Christchurch)

Rowing
The New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association is formed on 16 March. 9 clubs are present. The first Championships are held at the end of the 1887–88 season. (see 1888)

Rugby Union
The Southland union is formed.

Provincial club rugby champions include:
 * see also Category:Rugby union in New Zealand

Shooting
Ballinger Belt – Captain White (Gordon Rifles, Auckland)

Tennis
The first New Zealand Championships are held.

New Zealand championships

 * Men's singles – P. Fenwicke
 * Women's singles – M. Lance
 * Men's doubles – P. Fenwicke and M. Fenwicke
 * Women's doubles – M. Way and W. Lance
 * Mixed doubles – ?. Hudson and K. Hitchings

Births

 * 17 March: Mary Patricia Anderson, politician (MLC).
 * 31 March: Mary Dreaver, politician (MLC).
 * 14 May: Owen Merton, painter.
 * 1 September : Harold Caro, Mayor of Hamilton.

Deaths

 * 25 February: James Macandrew, politician (born 1819).
 * June 1887 – Te Mamaku, Māori chief (b. 1790)