The government passes the Chinese Immigration Act 1881. This imposes a £10 tax per Chinese person entering New Zealand, and permits only one Chinese immigrant for every 10 tons of cargo.
1 October – The first telephone exchange in New Zealand is opened in Christchurch.[1]
24 October – A telephone exchange is opened in Auckland.[1]
5 November – The invasion of Parihaka by a colonial militia aiming to clear the non-violent resistance movement and enable the subdivision of land for European settlement
An Australian team tours the country playing twelve matches against provincial teams. None of the games have first-class status, with the home teams fielding between 12 and 22 players. Australia suffered one loss, but 10 wickets to the Wanganui XXII. Itinerary
