The estimated population of New Zealand at the end of 1852 is 63,100 Māori and 27,633 non-Māori.
Regal and viceregal
Head of State – Queen Victoria
Governor – Sir George Grey
Government and law
With the passing by the Parliament of the United Kingdom of New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 the way is set for New Zealand’s first general election. It will be held on 1 October 1853. (see also 1846).
Chief Justice — William Martin
Lieutenant Governor, New Munster — Edward John Eyre
Lieutenant Governor, New Ulster — Robert Henry Wynyard
Main centre leaders
Mayor of Auckland — Archibald Clark
At the second election for the Council of the Borough of Auckland insufficient councillors are elected and the Council ceases functioning.
19 January (or 25 December, 1851) — The Governor Wynyard, the first steamer built in New Zealand, is launched at Freemans Bay, Auckland.
3 June: The Guardian and Canterbury Advertiser starts publication but ceases after less than four months, on 16 September.
4 August: The Taranaki Herald starts publication. It will move to daily publishing in 1877. From 1935 until 1989 (when it will cease publication) it will be New Zealand's oldest newspaper.
Alfred L. Beattie, locomotive engineer/designer.
30 June: Susannah Noon, New South Wales convict who settled in New Zealand
14 August: Michael Murphy, police magistrate
25 September: William Henry Valpy, Dunedin pioneer settler
26 October: Arthur Edward McDonogh, police magistrate
