1898 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1898 in New Zealand.

Regal and viceregal

 * Head of State – Queen Victoria
 * Governor – The Earl of Ranfurly GCMG

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

Parliamentary opposition
Leader of the Opposition – William Russell.

Main centre leaders

 * Mayor of Auckland – Peter Dignan followed by David Goldie
 * Mayor of Christchurch – Walter Cooper followed by Charles Louisson
 * Mayor of Dunedin – Edward Bowes Cargill followed by William Swan
 * Mayor of Wellington – John Rutherford Blair

Events

 * 1 December: W H Bartlett films the opening of the Auckland Industrial and Mining Exhibition. The film is screened on Christmas Eve at Bartlett's studio – the first public screening of a New Zealand film.
 * Bell Tea is founded.

Athletics
National Champions, Men:
 * 100 yards – George Smith (Auckland)
 * 250 yards – Alfred J. Patrick (Wellington)
 * 440 yards – R. Oliphant (Auckland)
 * 880 yards – H. C. Garsia (Canterbury)
 * 1 mile – S. Pentecost (Canterbury)
 * 3 miles – S. Pentecost (Canterbury)
 * 120 yards hurdles – Arthur H. Holder (Wanganui)
 * 440 yards hurdles – George Smith (Auckland)
 * Long jump – Alan Good (Wanganui)
 * High jump – Hugh Good (Wanganui)
 * Pole vault – Hori Eruera (Auckland)
 * Shot put – Hugh Good (Wanganui)
 * Hammer throw – J. Skinner (Auckland)

Chess
National Champion:
 * 1) R.J. Barnes of Wellington. (Played over new year 1897/98)
 * 2) R.A. Cleland of Dunedin (played December 1898)

Golf
The National Amateur Championships were held in Christchurch
 * Men – W. Pryde (Hutt)
 * Women – K. Rattray (Otago)

Harness racing

 * Auckland Trotting Cup (over 2 miles) is won by Duke C.

Thoroughbred racing

 * New Zealand Cup – Tirant D’eau
 * New Zealand Derby – Altair
 * Auckland Cup – Uhlan - the first horse-race to be filmed in New Zealand
 * Wellington Cup – Uniform

Season leaders (1897/98)

 * Top New Zealand stakes earner – Multiform
 * Leading flat jockey – W. Brown

Lawn Bowls
National Champions
 * Singles – W. McIlwrick (Dunedin)
 * Pairs – C. Nicholson and W. McLaren (skip) (Kaitangata)
 * Fours – W. Cowie, C. Fynmore, M. Sinclair and A. Gillies (skip) (Dunedin)

Polo

 * Savile Cup winners – Oroua

Rowing
National Champions (Men)
 * Single sculls – J. McGrath (Otago)
 * Double sculls – Otago
 * Coxless pairs – Wellington
 * Coxed fours – Picton

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

Shooting
Ballinger Belt – Private J. McGregor (Oamaru Rifles)

Soccer
Provincial league champions:
 * Auckland:	Auckland United
 * Otago:	Wakari Dunedin
 * Wellington:	Wellington Rovers

Swimming
National champions (Men)
 * 100 yards freestyle – A. Truscott (Canterbury)
 * 440 yards freestyle – C. Rich (Canterbury)

Tennis
National champions
 * Men's singles – J. Hooper
 * Women's singles – Kathleen Nunneley
 * Men's doubles – H. Parker and C. Gore
 * Women's doubles – Kathleen Nunneley and E. Kennedy

Births

 * 8 October: George Davidson, Olympic sprinter.

Deaths

 * 2 January: John Cargill, politician (born 1821).
 * 3 May: John Kerr, politician (born 1830).
 * 29 June: Charles Parker, politician (born 1809).
 * 15 July: Francis Dillon Bell, politician (born 1822).
 * 31 October: William Gilbert Rees, explorer and settler (born 1827).
 * 25 November: William Downie Stewart, politician (born 1842).
 * 29 November: Thomas Forsaith, politician (born 1814).