Following their victory in the 1890 election the Liberal Government forms the 11th New Zealand Parliament, taking office on 24 January. This is the first time a single political party forms a government in New Zealand.
The new Liberal Government restricts future terms of appointment to the Legislative Council to 7 years. Previous appointments have been for life.
17 March – The S.S. Alice is the first mechanically powered vessel to pass through Ohau Channel and the first to operate on Lake Rotoiti. Among the passengers are GovernorOnslow and Lady Onslow.[4] (see also 1889)
12 August Godfrey Shaw sets the first (unofficial) world record by a New Zealander. He runs 57.2 seconds for 440 yards hurdles at the Isle of Man.[5][6]
Dissatisfied with their remoteness from the national association the North Island clubs and those from Nelson form a separate Northern Bowling Association.
National Champions[10]
Singles – G. White (Milton)
Fours – D. Campbell, W. Weir, D. Mackie and W. Carswell (skip) (Taieri)
^As the New Zealand Bowling Association at this time consists entirely of South Island clubs, the first truly "national" championships are not deemed to have begun until 1914.