1889 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1889 in New Zealand.

Regal and viceregal

 * Head of State – Queen Victoria
 * Governor – The term of Lieutenant-General Sir William Jervois ends on 23 March. The Earl of Onslow takes up the position of Governor on 2 May.

Government and law
The 10th New Zealand Parliament continues.


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

Parliamentary opposition
Leader of the Opposition – John Ballance (Liberal Party). This is the first year in which there is a recognised opposition leader.

Main centre leaders

 * Mayor of Auckland – Albert Devore followed by John Upton
 * Mayor of Christchurch – Charles Louisson
 * Mayor of Dunedin – Hugh Gourley followed by John Roberts
 * Mayor of Wellington – John Duthie

Events

 * 21 January – American "Professor" Baldwin makes the first balloon ascent in New Zealand at Dunedin.
 * 2 December – The S.S. Alice, the first mechanically powered vessel on the Rotorua Lakes, is launched.

Arts and literature
Reputedly the first science fiction novel written by a New Zealander, Anno Domini 2000, or, Woman's Destiny by former Premier Julius Vogel is published.

National Champions, Men

 * 100 yards – T. Lewis (Hawkes Bay)
 * 250 yards – H. Reeves (Canterbury)
 * 440 yards – H. Reeves (Canterbury)
 * 880 yards – P. Cox (Southland)
 * 1 mile – F. Ellis (Hawkes Bay)
 * 120 yards hurdles – Harold Batger (Wellington)
 * Long jump – Leonard Cuff (Canterbury)
 * High jump – T. McNaught (Otago)

Chess
National Champion: Arthur Ollivier, of Christchurch

Major race winners

 * New Zealand Cup – Tirailleur
 * New Zealand Derby – Scots Grey
 * Auckland Cup – Leopold
 * Wellington Cup – Dudu

National Champions

 * Singles – H. Toomer (Canterbury)
 * Fours – M. Elliott, P. Dow, W. Allnutt and W. Carlton (skip) (Roslyn)

Polo
The Christchurch Polo Club is formed.

Rowing
Coxless pairs and Double sculls are held at the championships for the first time.

National Champions (Men)

 * Single sculls – T. McKay (Wellington)
 * Double sculls – Wellington
 * Coxless pairs – Wellington
 * Coxed fours – Wellington

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

Shooting
Ballinger Belt – Sergeant Parslow (Auckland)

Tennis
After this year the mixed doubles championship are not held again held until 1900.

New Zealand championships

 * Men's singles – P. Fenwicke
 * Women's singles – E. Gordon
 * Men's doubles – Richard Harman and Frederick Wilding
 * Women's doubles – K. Hitchings and E. Gordon
 * Mixed doubles – Frederick Wilding and E. Gordon

Births

 * 27 February: Melville Lyons, politician
 * 19 June: Cora Louisa Burrell, politician (MLC).

Deaths

 * 26 July: Thomas Gillies, politician
 * 26 July: Arthur Fulton, engineer
 * 10 December: Robert Campbell, politician
 * 13 December: Sarah Greenwood, artist