title: 1880 in New Zealand
text: # 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.
  