The following lists events that happened during 1871 in New Zealand. Incumbents Regal and viceregal Head of State – Queen Victoria Governor – Sir George Ferguson Bowen Government and law The 1871 election takes place between 14 January and 1 February. The 5th New Zealand Parliament commences. 1 February – Māori elections are held for the first time in conjunction with a general election, although the first Māori MPs had been elected in 1868. Speaker of the House – After the election Sir Francis Dillon Bell becomes Speaker replacing Sir David Monro who stood down at the end of 1870. Premier – William Fox Minister of Finance – Julius Vogel Chief Justice – Hon Sir George Arney Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – Philip Philips Mayor of Christchurch – Andrew Duncan followed by James Jameson Mayor of Dunedin – Thomas Birch followed by Henry Fish Mayor of Wellington – Joseph Dransfield Events 1 February: The Daily Telegraph begins publishing in Napier. It continues until 1999, when it merges with The Hawke's Bay Herald Tribune to form Hawke's Bay Today. 5 July: New Zealand's first university, Otago opens its doors. It was absorbed into the University of New Zealand three years later. The Westport News begins publication. The newspaper continues to publish Monday-Friday. Sport Athletics The first amateur club is formed, in South Canterbury. Professional athletics is already well established. Horse racing Major race winners New Zealand Cup: Peeress New Zealand Derby: Defamation Rugby union 12 May: Founding of the Wellington Rugby club, the second rugby union club in New Zealand. Shooting Ballinger Belt: Captain Wales (Otago) Births 10 January: Hoeroa Tiopira, rugby union player 10 March (in Europe): George William von Zedlitz, professor of languages 6 June: Freeman Wright Holmes, jockey, horse driver, trainer and breeder Deaths Date unknown Helen Ann Wilson, nurse and community leader (b. 1793) See also History of New Zealand List of years in New Zealand Military history of New Zealand Timeline of New Zealand history Timeline of New Zealand's links with Antarctica Timeline of the New Zealand environment References General Romanos, J. (2001) New Zealand Sporting Records and Lists. Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett. Specific External links