1897 in New Zealand

Regal and viceregal

• Head of State – Queen Victoria
• Governor – The term of David Boyle, 7th Earl of Glasgow as Governor ends on 8 February. He is succeeded on 9 August by Sir Uchter John Mark Knox, 5th Earl of Ranfurly

Government and law

The 13th New Zealand Parliament continues with the Liberal Party in power.

• Speaker of the House – Sir Maurice O'Rorke
• Prime Minister – Richard Seddon
• Minister of Finance – Richard Seddon
• Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast

Opposition Leaders

See: Category:Parliament of New Zealand, New Zealand elections

Main centre leaders

• Mayor of Auckland – Abraham Boardman followed by Peter Dignan
• Mayor of Christchurch – Harry Joseph Beswick followed by Walter Cooper
• Mayor of Dunedin – Hugh Gourley followed by Edward Bowes Cargill
• Mayor of Wellington – Francis Bell

Music

Athletics

National Champions, Men Arthur Holder is the first athlete to win four titles at a single championships (he is also second in the 100 yards).^[2]

• 100 yards – Alfred J. Patrick (Wellington)
• 250 yards – Arthur H. Holder (Wanganui)
• 440 yards – Arthur H. Holder (Wanganui)
• 880 yards – James McKean (Auckland)
• 1 mile – James McKean (Auckland)
• 3 miles – E. Reynolds (Auckland)
• 120 yards hurdles – Arthur H. Holder (Wanganui)
• 440 yards hurdles – Arthur H. Holder (Wanganui)
• Long jump – Leonard Cuff (Canterbury)
• High jump – C. Laurie (Auckland)
• Pole vault – tie Jimmy Te Paa (Auckland) and Hori Eruera (Auckland)
• Shot put – Timothy B. O’Connor (Auckland)
• Hammer throw – J. Callender (Auckland)

Chess

National Champion: R.J. Barnes of Wellington.^[3]

Cricket

Golf

The National amateur championships were held in Auckland^[4]

• Men – D. Pryde (Hutt)
• Women – L. Wilford (Hutt)

Horse racing

Lawn Bowls

National Champions^[6]

• Singles – W. McLaren (Kaitangata)
• Pairs – W. Cowie and W. Thomson (skip) (Dunedin)
• Fours – H. Nalder, W. Thomas, R. Struthers and H. Thomson (skip) (Christchurch)

Polo

• Savile Cup winners – Manawatu

Rowing

National Champions (Men)

• Single sculls – C. Chapman (Wairewa)
• Double sculls – Wairewa, Little River
• Coxless pairs – Picton
• Coxed fours – Queen's Dr, Port Chalmers

Rugby union

• 1897 New Zealand rugby union tour of Australia

Provincial club rugby champions include:

see also Category:Rugby union in New Zealand

Shooting

Ballinger Belt – Private A. Ballinger (Wellington Guards)

Soccer

Provincial league champions:^[7]

• Auckland: Auckland United
• Otago: Roslyn Dunedin
• Wellington: Wellington Swifts

Swimming

National Champions (Men)

• 100 yards freestyle – T. Wauchop (Canterbury)
• 220 yards freestyle – W. Stratton (Canterbury)

Tennis

National Championships

• Men's singles – J. Marshall
• Women's singles – Kathleen Nunneley
• Men's doubles – H. Parker and C. Gore
• Women's doubles – Kathleen Nunneley and T. Trimmell