1897 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1897 in New Zealand.

Regal and viceregal

 * Head of State – Queen Victoria
 * Governor – The term of David Boyle, 7th Earl of Glasgow as Governor ends on 8 February. He is succeeded on 9 August by Sir Uchter John Mark Knox, 5th Earl of Ranfurly

Government and law
The 13th New Zealand Parliament continues with the Liberal Party in power.


 * Speaker of the House – Sir Maurice O'Rorke
 * Prime Minister – Richard Seddon
 * Minister of Finance – Richard Seddon
 * Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast

Opposition Leaders
See: Category:Parliament of New Zealand, New Zealand elections

Main centre leaders

 * Mayor of Auckland – Abraham Boardman followed by Peter Dignan
 * Mayor of Christchurch – Harry Joseph Beswick followed by Walter Cooper
 * Mayor of Dunedin – Hugh Gourley followed by Edward Bowes Cargill
 * Mayor of Wellington – Francis Bell

Events

 * 3 May: Margaret Cruickshank becomes New Zealand's first registered woman doctor.
 * 14 May: Pigeon post is introduced between Auckland and Great Barrier Island.

Athletics
National Champions, Men Arthur Holder is the first athlete to win four titles at a single championships (he is also second in the 100 yards).


 * 100 yards – Alfred J. Patrick (Wellington)
 * 250 yards – Arthur H. Holder (Wanganui)
 * 440 yards – Arthur H. Holder (Wanganui)
 * 880 yards – James McKean (Auckland)
 * 1 mile – James McKean (Auckland)
 * 3 miles – E. Reynolds (Auckland)
 * 120 yards hurdles – Arthur H. Holder (Wanganui)
 * 440 yards hurdles – Arthur H. Holder (Wanganui)
 * Long jump – Leonard Cuff (Canterbury)
 * High jump – C. Laurie (Auckland)
 * Pole vault – tie Jimmy Te Paa (Auckland) and Hori Eruera (Auckland)
 * Shot put – Timothy B. O’Connor (Auckland)
 * Hammer throw – J. Callender (Auckland)

Chess
National Champion: R.J. Barnes of Wellington.

Golf
The National amateur championships were held in Auckland
 * Men – D. Pryde (Hutt)
 * Women – L. Wilford (Hutt)

Harness racing

 * Auckland Trotting Cup (over 2 miles) is won by Awahuri

Thoroughbred racing

 * New Zealand Cup – Waiuku
 * New Zealand Derby – Multiform
 * Auckland Cup – Antares
 * Wellington Cup – Strath Braan

Season leaders (1896/97)

 * Top New Zealand stakes earner – Multiform
 * Leading flat jockey – R. Derrett

Lawn Bowls
National Champions
 * Singles – W. McLaren (Kaitangata)
 * Pairs – W. Cowie and W. Thomson (skip) (Dunedin)
 * Fours – H. Nalder, W. Thomas, R. Struthers and H. Thomson (skip) (Christchurch)

Polo

 * Savile Cup winners – Manawatu

Rowing
National Champions (Men)
 * Single sculls – C. Chapman (Wairewa)
 * Double sculls – Wairewa, Little River
 * Coxless pairs – Picton
 * Coxed fours – Queen's Dr, Port Chalmers

Rugby union
Provincial club rugby champions include:
 * 1897 New Zealand rugby union tour of Australia
 * see also Category:Rugby union in New Zealand

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

Soccer
Provincial league champions:
 * Auckland:	Auckland United
 * Otago:	Roslyn Dunedin
 * Wellington:	Wellington Swifts

Swimming
National Champions (Men)
 * 100 yards freestyle – T. Wauchop (Canterbury)
 * 220 yards freestyle – W. Stratton (Canterbury)

Tennis
National Championships
 * Men's singles – J. Marshall
 * Women's singles – Kathleen Nunneley
 * Men's doubles – H. Parker and C. Gore
 * Women's doubles – Kathleen Nunneley and T. Trimmell

Births

 * 28 January: Howard Kippenberger, soldier.
 * 23 March: Leslie Andrew, soldier.
 * 10 August: Maurice Brownlie, rugby union player.
 * 2 December: Rewi Alley, writer, educator, friend of China.
 * 3 December: John Buckland Wright, engraver and book illustrator.

Deaths

 * 22 April: Charles John Taylor, politician (in England).
 * 21 May: Abraham Boardman, Mayor of Auckland.
 * 23 September: Henry Fish, politician
 * 27 September: John Lillie Gillies, politician.
 * Mary Anne Rymill, missionary, teacher, nurse and companion (born 1817).