The following lists events that happened during 1848 in New Zealand.
Population
The estimated population of New Zealand at the end of 1848 is 68,300 Māori and 17,166 non-Māori.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal
Head of State – Queen Victoria
Governor – Sir George Grey
Government and law
Chief Justice — William Martin
Lieutenant Governor, New Munster — From 28 January, Edward John Eyre
Lieutenant Governor, New Ulster — From 14 February, George Dean Pitt
Events
23 March: The founding of the city of Dunedin and Otago Province, with the arrival of the John Wickliffe, carrying Scottish settlers, at Port Chalmers. 23 June: Government House, in Auckland is burned to the ground by a fire believed to have started in the butler's pantry. Most chattels and Government documents were saved. 17 September – The first attempt at photography is made in New Zealand. Lieutenant-Governor Eyre is unsuccessful in his attempt to take a daguerreotype of Eliza Grey, wife of Governor Grey. 13 December – Otago News begins publication. The newspaper publishes fortnightly until closing in 1850.
Sport
Cricket
Cricket is played on the present site of The Octagon, Dunedin. A team from Otago challenges Wellington to a match, but the challenge is not accepted.
Births
29 April: David Buick, politician. 26 August: Sarah Ann McMurray, woodcarver 2 October: (in India) G. M. Thomson, scientist
Deaths
17 June: Joseph Burns, murderer. 19 September: William Wakefield, founder of Wellington. 22 September (in Berbice, British Guiana): Samuel Martin, land claimant, magistrate, journalist and writer.