1880 in New Zealand
# 1880 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1880 in New Zealand.

## Incumbents

### Regal and viceregal

* Head of State – Queen Victoria
* Governor – Sir Hercules Robinson leaves on 9 September to take up the position of High Commissioner in South Africa. The Hon. Sir Arthur Hamilton-Gordon becomes Governor on 29 November.

### Government and law

The 7th New Zealand Parliament continues.

* Speaker of the House – Maurice O'Rorke.
* Premier – John Hall (New Zealand)
* Minister of Finance – Harry Atkinson
* Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast

### Main centre leaders

* Mayor of Auckland – Thomas Peacock followed by James Clark
* Mayor of Christchurch – Charles Thomas Ick
* Mayor of Dunedin – Archibald Hilson Ross
* Mayor of Wellington – William Hutchison

## Events

* September: The Waikato Mail begins publishing in Cambridge. The newspaper is produced three times a week. It ceases to publish in 1883.

### Undated

Wellington Teachers College is opened.

## Sport

### Horse racing

* New Zealand Cup winner: Le Loup
* New Zealand Derby winner: Sir Mordred
* Auckland Cup winner: Foul Play
* Wellington Cup winner: Foul Play

    see also Category:Horse races in New Zealand.

### Rugby union

The Wellington Union is the first to hold a club championships.

**Provincial club rugby champions**

Wellington: Athletic

### Shooting

Ballinger Belt: Sergeant Okey (Taranaki)

### Swimming

The first swimming club in New Zealand, Christchurch Amateur Swimming Club, is formed on 11 October. It is soon followed by others throughout New Zealand.

### Tennis

Prior to this year there are tennis clubs in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. As well as tennis club members also play croquet, bowls and archery.

## Births

* 3 August: Arthur Hall, politician.

## Deaths

* 9 March: Edward Hargreaves, Member of Parliament.
* 12 March: Thomas Birch, Member of Parliament
* 27 July: David Forsyth Main, Member of Parliament.
