The estimated population of New Zealand at the end of 1851 is 64,350 Māori and 26,707 non-Māori.
Regal and viceregal
Head of State – Queen Victoria
Governor – Sir George Grey
Government and law
Chief Justice — William Martin
Lieutenant Governor, New Munster — Edward John Eyre
Lieutenant Governor, New Ulster — George Dean Pitt until 8 January. Robert Henry Wynyard from 26 April.
Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland — Archibald Clark
Governor Grey issues a charter creating the Borough of Auckland. Archibald Clark becomes Mayor. (see also 1852)
11 January: The Otago Witness begins publication. It publishes fortnightly until August, and then weekly until its demise in 1932.
11 January: The Lyttelton Times begins publication. It will change its name to the Christchurch Times in 1929, and continue until 1935.
1 November: First national census held in New Zealand, counting European dwellings and population only.
25 December (or 19 January, 1852) — The Governor Wynyard, the first steamer built in New Zealand, is launched at Freemans Bay, Auckland.
Wynyard Pier is the first wharf built on the Auckland waterfront.
8 January: George Dean Pitt, Lieutenant Governor of New Ulster
29 January: Wiremu Piti Pomare, tribal leader
28 October: Wiremu Hikairo, tribal leader
