The estimated population of New Zealand at the end of 1854 is 60,650 Māori and 32,554 non-Māori.
Regal and viceregal
Head of State – Queen Victoria
Governor – Sir George Grey resigns on 6 January. Colonel Thomas Gore Browne is appointed later in the year, but does not arrive to take up his position until 6 September 1855.
Government and law
After New Zealand’s first general election, held on 1 October 1853 the 1st Parliament opens on 24 May.
There is neither an official Prime Minister/Premier/Colonial Secretary or Finance Minister/Colonial Secretary in the government at this point in time. (see 1st New Zealand Parliament)
Speaker of the House — When the 1st Parliament opens on 24 May Sir Charles Clifford is unanimously elected as New Zealand’s first Speaker of the House.
Chief Justice — William Martin
4 May: The Māori language magazine, The Maori Messenger or Ko te Karere Maori, which started in 1849, stops publishing. In 1855 it will be revived with a different Māori title.
June: The Canterbury Standard begins publication. The Christchurch newspaper continues until 1866.
2 December — The Canterbury Jockey Club is formed, the first club of its kind in New Zealand. It holds its first meeting, at Riccarton Racecourse, in 1855.
15 February: Peter Webb, rugby union player
8 April: George Carter, rugby union player
11 May: Westby Perceval, politician (in Tasmania)
12 December: Alfred Brandon, Mayor of Wellington.
April: Robert Fyffe, whaler and runholder
5 May: Te Ruki Kawiti, tribal leader
23 June: John Deans, Christchurch pioneer
19 October: Joseph Zillwood, policeman, farmer and innkeeper
Te Aitu-o-te-rangi Jury, tribal founding mother, landowner and farmer
Ngātata-i-te-rangi, tribal leader
