The following lists events that happened during 1876 in New Zealand.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal Head of State – Queen Victoria Governor – The Marquess of Normanby
Government and law The 1875 general election, which started on 29 December, concludes on 4 January. The 6th New Zealand Parliament commences.
Premier Atkinson abolishes the New Zealand provincial system on 1 November.New Zealand Parliament - Parliament timeline
Speaker of the House – Sir William Fitzherbet replaces Sir Francis Dillon Bell who did not stand for election at the end of 1875 Premier – Daniel Pollen resigns on 15 February. Julius Vogel takes over until retiring on 1 September and is in turn replaced by Harry Atkinson. Minister of Finance – Julius Vogel takes over as Treasurer (Minister of Finance) from Harry Atkinson when he becomes Premier on 15 February. When Vogel retires on 1 September Atkinson resumes the position. Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast
Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland City – Benjamin Tonks followed by William Hurst Mayor of Christchurch – Fred Hobbs Mayor of Dunedin – Keith Ramsay followed by Henry John Walter Mayor of Wellington – William Hutchison
Events 18 February: The first trans-Tasman submarine communications cable is completed, allowing telegraph communications with the rest of the world. 4 April: Speight's is first brewed in Dunedin. 30 December: The Daily Southern Cross publishes its last issue, and merges with The New Zealand Herald. The Auckland-based newspaper began publishing as The Southern Cross in 1843.
Sport
Cricket The Otago Cricket Association is formed.Todd, S. (1976) Sporting Records of New Zealand. Auckland: Moa Publications.
Horse racing
Major race winners New Zealand Cup – Guy Fawkes New Zealand Derby – Songster Auckland Cup – Ariel Wellington Cup – Korari
Lawn bowls The first interclub competition in the country is held between the Dunedin and Fernhill clubs.
Rugby union Rugby clubs were founded in Marton, Bulls, and Sanson, Oamaru, Hawera, Pātea, Invercargill, Otautau, Riverton, Greytown, Masterton, Rangiora, Waimate, Kaiapoi and Te Awamutu. A combined side from Canterbury toured Nelson, Wellington (at Lower Hutt), and Auckland (at Ellerslie)
Shooting Ballinger Belt – Private J. Willocks (Clutha)
Births 21 January: Tom Cross, rugby union and rugby league player. 24 February: Ernie Booth, rugby union player.All Blacks profile of Ernie Booth 23 March: Sally Low, social reformer and peace campaigner. 6 April: Harold Williams, linguist. 11 April Michael Reardon, political activist 7 June: Albert Samuel, politician
Deaths 26 August: Henry Balneavis, soldier 22 November: Charles Flinders Hursthouse, author and settler.
See also List of years in New Zealand Timeline of New Zealand history History of New Zealand Military history of New Zealand Timeline of the New Zealand environment Timeline of New Zealand's links with Antarctica
References General Romanos, J. (2001) New Zealand Sporting Records and Lists. Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett. Specific
External links