1890 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1890 in New Zealand.

Regal and viceregal

 * Head of State – Queen Victoria
 * Governor – The Earl of Onslow

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

The number of members of the House of Representatives is cut from 95 to 74. The New Zealand Legislative Council has 39 members.

Parliamentary opposition
Leader of the Opposition – John Ballance (Liberal Party).

Main centre leaders

 * Mayor of Auckland – John Upton
 * Mayor of Christchurch – Charles Louisson followed by Samuel Manning
 * Mayor of Dunedin – John Roberts followed by John Carroll
 * Mayor of Wellington – Charles Johnston

Events

 * The Maritime Strike involves 8000 unionists
 * 28 October: The first Labour Day is celebrated (but it is not a public holiday).

Athletics
The first athletics team to compete overseas travels to Sydney.

At the National Championships the 3 miles, Pole vault and Shot put are held for the first time.

National Champions (Men)

 * 100 yards – Jack Hempton (Southland)
 * 250 yards – Jack Hempton (Southland)
 * 440 yards – H. Reeves (Canterbury)
 * 880 yards – J. Grierson (Canterbury)
 * 1 mile – Peter Morrison (South Canterbury)
 * 3 miles – Peter Morrison (South Canterbury)
 * 120 yards hurdles – Harold Batger (Wellington)
 * Long jump – T. Harman (Canterbury)
 * High jump – T. McNaught (Otago)
 * Pole vault – D. Robertson (Canterbury)
 * Shot put – R. Malcolm (Wellington)

Chess

 * National Champion: H. Hookham (his 2nd title)

Harness racing

 * The inaugural running of the Auckland Trotting Cup (over 3 miles) is won by Commodore

Thoroughbred racing

 * New Zealand Cup – Wolverine
 * New Zealand Derby – Medallion
 * Auckland Cup – Crackshot
 * Wellington Cup – Cynisca

National Champions

 * Singles – G. White (Milton)
 * Fours – W. Savage, V. Parsons, E. Ashby and B. Hale (skip) (Canterbury)

Polo
The Savile Cup, the premier polo trophy in New Zealand, is held for the first time. It is presented by and named after the aide-de-camp to the Governor of New Zealand, The Earl of Onslow.


 * Savile Cup winners – Christchurch

National Champions (Men)

 * Single sculls – T. Sullivan (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 – P. Williams (Wellington Navals)

Swimming
The New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association is formally constituted on 4 January. It is the second national governing body in the world after the A.S.A. of England. A subsequent disagreement between the North and South Island clubs leads to the formation of a rival association in the North Island known as the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association Registered. The two associations remain apart until uniting on 21 March 1904.

The first national titles are instituted. Each event is held at a separate carnival (this continues until 1905 when a single championships is held for the first time). In the first year there are 2 separate carnivals for 100 yards and thus 2 different champions.

National champions (Men)

 * 100 yards freestyle (Hamilton) – H. Bailey (Auckland)
 * 100 yards freestyle (Christchurch) – W. Sneddon (Canterbury)
 * 440 yards freestyle – H. Bailey (Auckland)
 * 880 yards freestyle – A. Duthie (Auckland)

National champions

 * Men's singles – M. Fenwicke
 * Women's singles – E. Gordon
 * Men's doubles – M. Fenwicke and J. Jarkine
 * Women's doubles – K. Hitchings and E. Gordon

Organisations

 * Founding of the Freemasons' Grand Lodge of New Zealand (April)

Births

 * 2 December: Robert Macalister, Mayor of Wellington.

Deaths

 * 10 February: Joseph May, politician
 * 14 April: Allan Kerr Taylor, businessman
 * 14 July: Hugh Carleton, politician and "first Member of Parliament".
 * 17 July: Richard Turnbull, politician
 * 7 December:  Henry Richmond, Superintendent of Taranaki.