The following lists events that happened during 1866 in New Zealand.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal Head of State — Queen Victoria Governor — Sir George Grey
Government and law The 1866 election is held between 12 February and 6 April. After the election the 4th Parliament commences.
Speaker of the House — David Monro is knighted during the year and becomes Sir David Monro. Premier — Edward Stafford Minister of Finance — William Fitzherbert replaces Francis Jollie on 24 August. Jollie had only replaced Edward Stafford on 12 June. Chief Justice — Hon Sir George Arney
Main centre leaders Mayor of Dunedin — William Mason
Events The Canterbury Standard ceases publication. The Christchurch newspaper started in 1854. 5 March: The Nelson Evening Mail publishes its first issue. The Mail was the first daily newspaper published in Nelson. It changed its name to The Nelson Mail in 1993, and continues to publish . 18 March: The Greymouth Evening Star publishes its first issue. The newspaper changed its name to The Greymouth Star in 2006 continues to publish . 21 April: The Marlborough Express publishes its first issue. It became daily in 1880, which continued until 2017 when falling revenue reduced publication to three times a week. Parent company Stuff stopped physical publication in 2025, but the paper continues to publish digitally . May: The New Zealander stops publishing after its office burns down. The Auckland-based newspaper started publishing in 1845. 26 August: The Cook Strait telegraph cable between Whites Bay, Marlborough and Lyall Bay, Wellington is inaugurated for inter-island telegrams.The cable that united our islands Dominion Post, Wellington, 3 September 2016 p. A10 22 September: The Ross Guardian starts publication. The newspaper continued until 1879. 12 October: The Battle of Omaranui takes place near Napier.Ōmarunui NZ Wars memorial
Sport
Horse racing New Zealand Cup winner: Naurmahal New Zealand Derby winner: Nebula
Rowing The Union Rowing Club of Christchurch is formed.Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand 1966: Rowing Star Boating Club is established, and remains the oldest sporting club in Wellington as of .
Shooting Ballinger Belt: Sergeant Christie (Otago)
Births 1 April: William Blomfield, cartoonist (d. 1938) 1 July: John Lillicrap, 29th Mayor of Invercargill. 14 September: – William Montgomery Jr., politician
Deaths 20 August: Richard Barton, first European resident of Trentham, Upper Hutt (born 1790) 14 November (in England): Charles Torlesse, prominent surveyor for the Canterbury Association (born 1825) 9 December: Henry Monson, gaoler (born 1793)
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