The following lists events that happened during 1889 in New Zealand.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal Head of State – Queen Victoria Governor – The term of Lieutenant-General Sir William Jervois ends on 23 March. The Earl of Onslow takes up the position of governor on 2 May.
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
Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition – John Ballance (Liberal Party). This is the first year in which there is a recognised opposition leader.
Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – Albert Devore followed by John Upton Mayor of Christchurch – Charles Louisson Mayor of Dunedin – Hugh Gourley followed by John Roberts Mayor of Wellington – John Duthie
Events 21 January – American "Professor" Baldwin makes the first balloon ascent in New Zealand at Dunedin.Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand: Ballooning 2 December – The S.S. Alice, the first mechanically powered vessel on the Rotorua Lakes, is launched.It is not clear if the Alice was actually operating on Lake Rotorua in 1889 or started the following year.
Arts and literature Reputedly the first science fiction novel written by a New Zealander, Anno Domini 2000, or, Woman's Destiny by former premier Julius Vogel is published.
Sport
Athletics
National Champions, Men 100 yards – T. Lewis (Hawkes Bay) 250 yards – H. Reeves (Canterbury) 440 yards – H. Reeves (Canterbury) 880 yards – P. Cox (Southland) 1 mile – F. Ellis (Hawkes Bay) 120 yards hurdles – Harold Batger (Wellington) Long jump – Leonard Cuff (Canterbury) High jump – T. McNaught (Otago)
Chess National Champion: Arthur Ollivier, of ChristchurchList of New Zealand Chess Champions
Horse racing
Major race winners New Zealand Cup – Tirailleur New Zealand Derby – Scots Grey Auckland Cup – Leopold Wellington Cup – Dudu
Lawn bowls
National Champions Singles – H. Toomer (Canterbury) Fours – M. Elliott, P. Dow, W. Allnutt and W. Carlton (skip) (Roslyn)
As the New Zealand Bowling Association at this time consists largely of South Island clubs, the first truly "national" championships are not deemed to have begun until 1914.
Polo The Christchurch Polo Club is formed.Todd, S. (1976) Sporting Records of New Zealand. Auckland: Moa Publications.
Rowing Coxless pairs and Double sculls are held at the championships for the first time.
National Champions (Men) Single sculls – T. McKay (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 – Sergeant Parslow (Auckland) Tennis After this year the mixed doubles championship are not held again held until 1900.
New Zealand championships Men's singles – P. Fenwicke Women's singles – E. Gordon Men's doubles – Richard Harman and Frederick Wilding Women's doubles – K. Hitchings and E. Gordon Mixed doubles – Frederick Wilding and E. Gordon
Births 27 February: Melville Lyons, politician 19 June: Cora Louisa Burrell, politician (MLC).
Deaths 26 July: Thomas Gillies, politician 26 July: Arthur Fulton, engineer 10 December: Robert Campbell, politician 13 December: Sarah Greenwood, artist
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