The following lists events that happened during 1859 in New Zealand. Incumbents Regal and viceregal Head of State — Queen Victoria Governor — Colonel Thomas Gore Browne Government and law The 2nd Parliament continues. Speaker of the House — Sir Charles Clifford Premier — Edward Stafford. Minister of Finance — William Richmond is briefly replaced by Henry Sewell between 25 February and 26 April. Chief Justice — Hon George Arney Events 10 January: Pencarrow Head Lighthouse becomes the first permanent lighthouse in New Zealand. Its first keeper is Mary Jane Bennett, the only woman to hold the position. 13 April: The New Zealand Advertiser starts publishing in Wellington. In 1867 it is incorporated into the New Zealand Times, but it is restored for six months in 1868. 3 October: The Auckland Independent begins publishing. It barely survives into the following year. Undated The first wharf is built at Onehunga. Births 1 January (in England): John Dumbell, rugby union player. 18 November (in Scotland): James Nairn, painter Unknown date Thomas Field, politician. Charles E. Major, politician. Deaths 7 April – John Gray, soldier, politician (born 1801) 20 April – James Kelly, Australian explorer who was involved in a feud on Otago Peninsula (born 1791) 30 April – Henry Despard, soldier (born 1784) 20 July – Alexander Shepherd, public servant and second Colonial Treasurer (born 1797) 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 External links