The following lists events that happened during 1854 in New Zealand.

Population

The estimated population of New Zealand at the end of 1854 is 60,650 Māori and 32,554 non-Māori.

Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

Head of State A head of state (or chief of state) is the public persona who officially embodies a state Foakes, pp. 110–11 " he head of statebeing an embodiment of the State itself or representatitve of its international persona." in its unity and l ...

–

Queen Victoria Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria, her death in 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 21 ...

Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

–

Sir George Grey Sir George Grey, KCB (14 April 1812 – 19 September 1898) was a British soldier, explorer, colonial administrator and writer. He served in a succession of governing positions: Governor of South Australia, twice Governor of New Zealand, Gov ...

resigns on 6 January.

Colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

Thomas Gore Browne Colonel Sir Thomas Robert Gore Browne, (3 July 1807 – 17 April 1887) was a British colonial administrator, who was Governor of St Helena, Governor of New Zealand, Governor of Tasmania and Governor of Bermuda. Early life Browne was born on ...

is appointed later in the year, but does not arrive to take up his position until 6 September

1855 Events January–March * January 1 – Ottawa, Ontario, is incorporated as a city. * January 5 – Ramón Castilla begins his third term as President of Peru. * January 23 ** The first bridge over the Mississippi River opens ...

Government and law

After New Zealand's first general election, held on 1 October

1853 Events January–March * January 6 – Florida Governor Thomas Brown signs legislation that provides public support for the new East Florida Seminary, leading to the establishment of the University of Florida. * January 8 – Taiping Reb ...

the 1st Parliament opens on 24 May. There is neither an official Prime Minister/Premier/Colonial Secretary or Finance Minister/Colonial Secretary in the government at this point in time. (see

1st New Zealand Parliament The 1st New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 24 May 1854, following New Zealand's first general election (held the previous year). It was dissolved on 15 September 1855 in preparation for that year's ...

) *

Speaker of the House The speaker of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body, is its presiding officer, or the chair. The title was first used in 1377 in England. Usage The title was first recorded in 1377 to describe the role of Thomas de Hungerf ...

– When the 1st Parliament opens on 24 May Sir Charles Clifford is unanimously elected as New Zealand's first Speaker of the House. * Chief Justice – William Martin

Events

* 4 May: The

Māori language Māori (), or ('the Māori language'), also known as ('the language'), is an Eastern Polynesian language spoken by the Māori people, the indigenous population of mainland New Zealand. Closely related to Cook Islands Māori, Tuamotuan, and ...

magazine, ''The Maori Messenger'' or ''Ko te Karere Maori'', which started in

1849 Events January–March * January 1 – France begins issue of the Ceres series, the nation's first postage stamps. * January 5 – Hungarian Revolution of 1848: The Austrian army, led by Alfred I, Prince of Windisch-Grätz, enters in th ...

, stops publishing. In

it will be revived with a different Māori title. *June: The ''Canterbury Standard'' begins publication. The Christchurch newspaper continues until 1866.

Sport

Horse racing

*2 December – The Canterbury Jockey Club is formed, the first club of its kind in New Zealand.Todd, S. (1976) ''Sporting Records of New Zealand.'' Auckland: Moa Publications. Christchurch: a chronology - 1854
/ref> It holds its first meeting, at

Riccarton Racecourse Riccarton Park Racecourse is the main thoroughbred horse racecourse for the Christchurch city area in New Zealand. History The Canterbury Jockey Club was established in 1854 and held its first meeting at Hagley Park in Easter 1855. The Riccarton ...

, in

Births

*15 February: Peter Webb, rugby union player *8 April: George Carter, rugby union player *11 May:

Westby Perceval Sir Westby Brook Perceval (11 May 1854 – 23 June 1928) was a New Zealand politician of the Liberal Party. Biography Perceval was born in Launceston, Tasmania in 1854. His mother was Sarah Brook (née Bailey) and his father was her husban ...

, politician (in Tasmania) *11 December:

James Edward Fulton James Edward Fulton (11 December 1854 – 6 December 1928) was a New Zealand surveyor and civil engineer. He was born in Outram, South Otago, New Zealand on 11 December 1854, and was the son of James and Catherine Valpy Fulton. He was survived b ...

, civil engineer *12 December: Alfred Brandon, Mayor of Wellington. * (unknown date):

William Thomas Wood William Thomas Wood (10 June 1854 – 10 June 1943) was a Liberal Party Member of Parliament in New Zealand. Early life and family Born in Hobart, Tasmania, in June 1854, Wood was the son of Robert Wood and Charlotte Wood (née Watford). After ...

, politician

Deaths

* April:

Robert Fyffe Alexander Robert Fyffe ( 1811 – April 1854) was a New Zealand whaler and runholder. He was born in Perthshire Perthshire (locally: ; gd, Siorrachd Pheairt), officially the County of Perth, is a historic county and registration cou ...

, whaler and runholder * 5 May:

Te Ruki Kawiti Te Ruki Kawiti (1770s – 5 May 1854) was a prominent Māori rangatira (chief). He and Hōne Heke successfully fought the British in the Flagstaff War in 1845–46. Belich, James. ''The New Zealand Wars''. (Penguin Books, 1986) He traced descent ...

, tribal leader * 23 June:

John Deans John Kelly "Dixie" Deans (born 30 July 1946) is a Scottish retired footballer. He played as a centre forward in the 1960s and 1970s, primarily for Motherwell and Celtic, and was a prolific goal-scorer. Deans played in two international matches ...

, Christchurch pioneer * 19 October:

Joseph Zillwood Joseph Zillwood (c. 1804 – 19 October 1854) was a New Zealand policeman, farmer and innkeeper. He was baptised in Cholderton, Wiltshire, England in December 1804. After marrying his second wife Betsy Rose in 1836, they moved to France where th ...

, policeman, farmer and innkeeper

Unknown date

Te Aitu-o-te-rangi Jury Te Aitu-o-te-rangi Jury ( 1820–1854) was a New Zealand tribal founding mother, landowner and farmer. Of Māori descent, she identified with the Ngati Kahungunu iwi. Her parents were Te Whatahoronui and his first wife, Aromea, who was the si ...

, tribal founding mother, landowner and farmer * Ngātata-i-te-rangi, tribal leader

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:1854 in New Zealand