Regal and viceregal
Head of State — Queen Victoria
Governor — Sir George Grey
Government and law
The 1866 election is held between 12 February and 6 April. After the election the 4th Parliament commences.
Speaker of the House — David Monro is knighted during the year and becomes Sir David Monro.
Premier — Edward Stafford
Minister of Finance — William Fitzherbert replaces Francis Jollie on 24 August. Jollie had only replaced Edward Stafford on 12 June.
Chief Justice — Hon Sir George Arney
Main centre leaders
Mayor of Dunedin — William Mason
The Canterbury Standard ceases publication. The Christchurch newspaper started in 1854.
5 March: The Nelson Evening Mail publishes its first issue. The Mail was the first daily newspaper published in Nelson. It changed its name to The Nelson Mail in 1993, and continues to publish today.
18 March: The Greymouth Evening Star publishes its first issue. The newspaper continues to publish today.
21 April: The Marlborough Express publishes its first issue. It became daily in 1880, and continues to publish today.
May: The New Zealander stops publishing after its office burns down. The Auckland-based newspaper started publishing in 1845.
26 August: The Cook Strait telegraph cable between Whites Bay, Marlborough and Lyall Bay, Wellington is inaugurated for inter-island telegrams.
22 September: The Ross Guardian starts publication. The newspaper continued until 1879.
12 October: The Battle of Omaranui takes place near Napier.
New Zealand Cup winner: Naurmahal
New Zealand Derby winner: Nebula
The Union Rowing Club of Christchurch is formed.
Star Boating Club is established, as of 2009 the oldest sporting club in Wellington.
Ballinger Belt: Sergeant Christie (Otago)
20 August: Richard Barton, first European resident of Trentham, Upper Hutt (born 1790)
14 November (in England): Charles Torlesse, prominent surveyor for the Canterbury Association (born 1825)
9 December: Henry Monson, gaoler (born 1793)
