The Canterbury, Hawke's Bay, Otago and Southland clubs form the New Zealand Amateur Athletics Association, now Athletics New Zealand. Auckland refuses to join.[1] The NZAAA is "one of the two oldest national bodies among the members of the IAAF".[2] The first New Zealand Championships will be held towards the end of the 1887–88 season (see 1888).
1 October – A. G. Sheath, with Shot Put, 10.21 meters (33.5 ft) at Napier, makes the first performance to be recognised as a national record.[1]
Horse racing
The Auckland Cup of 1887 is moved to January 1888. Subsequently the Auckland Cup is normally scheduled for New Year's Day.
Romanos, J. (2001) New Zealand Sporting Records and Lists. Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett. ISBN1-86958-879-7
Specific
^ abHeidenstrom, P. (1992) Athletes of the Century. Wellington: GP Publications. ISBN1-86956-044-2
^ abcTodd, S. (1976) Sporting Records of New Zealand. Auckland: Moa Publications. ISBN0-908570-00-7
^It is possible (see 1886) that a fours championship is also held this year but if so the names of the winners are unknown.
^As the New Zealand Bowling Association at this time consists largely of South Island clubs, the first truly "national" championships are not deemed to have begun until 1914.