1893 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1893 in New Zealand.

With the sudden death of John Ballance on 27 April the 13 years of Richard Seddon as Prime Minister begins. On 28 November New Zealand women become the first in the world to vote in a national election.

Regal and viceregal

 * Head of State – Queen Victoria
 * Governor – David Boyle, 7th Earl of Glasgow

Government and law
The Electoral Bill granting women the franchise is given Royal Assent by Governor Lord Glasgow on 19 September, and women voted for the first time on 28 November (see Women's suffrage in New Zealand).

The Liberal Party is re-elected on 28 November and begins the 12th New Zealand Parliament.


 * Speaker of the House – William Steward
 * Prime Minister – John Ballance dies on 27 April and Richard Seddon becomes the new Prime Minister.
 * Minister of Finance – On 1 May Joseph Ward becomes Minister of Finance, four days after the death of John Ballance.
 * Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast

Parliamentary opposition
Leader of the Opposition – William Rolleston (Independent) until 8 November, then William Russell (Independent).

Main centre leaders

 * Mayor of Auckland – William Crowther followed by James Holland
 * Mayor of Christchurch – William Prudhoe followed by Eden George
 * Mayor of Dunedin – Charles Haynes followed by Henry Fish
 * Mayor of Wellington – Francis Bell

Athletics
The first Australia and New Zealand Championships are held. Tim O'Connor (in the Shot Put) is the first New Zealander to win an event. These combined Championships are held biennially until 1927 except during World War I.

The hammer throw is held for the first time at a New Zealand National Championships.

National Champions, Men

 * 100 yards – Jack Hempton (Wellington)
 * 250 yards – L. Harley (Wellington)
 * 440 yards – Norman L. Gurr (Wellington)
 * 880 yards – Norman L. Gurr (Wellington)
 * 1 mile – C. Rees (Canterbury)
 * 3 miles – William J. Burk (Otago)
 * 120 yards hurdles – W. Moir (Canterbury)
 * 440 yards hurdles – D. Matson (Canterbury)
 * Long jump – Ross F. Gore (Wellington)
 * High jump – tie Ross F. Gore (Wellington) and F. Meyrick (Canterbury)
 * Pole vault – W. West (Canterbury)
 * Shot put – O. McCormack (Wellington)
 * Hammer throw – O. McCormack (Wellington)

Billiards
The second firm in the country to begin the manufacture of billiard tables does so in Auckland.

Chess
National Champion: Franz Vaughan Siedeberg of Dunedin. (his 2nd title)

Golf
The New Zealand Amateur Championships are held for the first time. They are hosted by the Otago Golf Club and staged at the Balmacewan course.


 * National Champion – Men: J. Somerville (Otago)
 * National matchplay champion – Women: Mrs. Lomax-Smith (Christchurch)

Harness racing

 * Auckland Trotting Cup (over 3 miles) is won by Sandfly

Thoroughbred racing

 * New Zealand Cup – Rosefeldt
 * New Zealand Derby – Skirmisher
 * Auckland Cup – Pegasus
 * Wellington Cup – Retina

Season leaders (1892/93)

 * Top New Zealand stakes earner – St Hippo
 * Leading flat jockey – T. Buddicombe

Lawn Bowls
National Champions
 * Singles – W. Cowie (Dunedin)
 * Fours – W. Barnett, C. Hulbert, H. Toomer and H. Thomson (skip) (Christchurch)

Polo

 * Savile Cup winners: Christchurch

Rowing
National Champions (Men)
 * Single sculls – J. McGrath (Otago)
 * Double sculls – Union, Christchurch
 * Coxless pairs – Union, Christchurch
 * Coxed fours – Lyttelton

Rugby union
Provincial club rugby champions include:
 * 1893 New Zealand rugby union tour of Australia

Shooting
Ballinger Belt – Private A. Ballinger (Wellington Guards)

Soccer
Provincial Champions:
 * Auckland: Alliance Auckland
 * Wellington:Wellington Rovers

Swimming
National Champions (Men)
 * 100 yards freestyle – H. Hodges (Auckland)
 * 220 yards freestyle – H. Bailey (Auckland)
 * 440 yards freestyle – H. Bailey (Auckland)
 * 880 yards freestyle – H. Bailey (Auckland)

Tennis
National Champions
 * Men's singles – M. Fenwicke
 * Women's singles – J. Rees
 * Men's doubles – Richard Harman and Frederick Wilding
 * Women's doubles – Not held

Births

 * 30 January: George Yerex, wildlife conservator

Deaths

 * 23 January: Henry Driver, politician
 * 27 February (in London): Sir Charles Clifford, 1st Baronet, politician, first speaker of the House of Representatives.
 * 1 March (in Yorkshire): Mary Taylor, Wellington draper and women's rights advocate.
 * 22 March: Theophilus Daniel, politician.
 * 27 April: John Ballance, politician & Premier.
 * 28 April: Thomas King, politician (born 1821).
 * 15 December: Alphonse J. Barrington, gold prospector and explorer (born c. 1832).