The earliest definite reference to cricket in New Zealand appears in 1832 in the diary of Archdeacon Henry Williams.
Charles Darwin watched a game of cricket at Waimate North being played by freed Maori slaves and the son of a missionary.
In The Voyage of the Beagle he wrote: "Several young men redeemed by the missionaries from slavery were employed on the farm.
The inaugural first-class match in New Zealand was Otago v Canterbury at the South Dunedin Recreation Ground on 27–29 January 1864.
On the second day, Otago batted out 65.1 overs to make 74, before Mace and MacDonald struck with four and six wickets each to win the game.
The Otago v Canterbury fixture was played annually from 1864 onwards and became part of the Plunket Shield in the 1911–12 season.
Otago bowler William Downes took 10–22 in the match, while 20-year-old debutant George Young took six wickets for Canterbury.
Auckland made their first "southern tour", playing Canterbury, Otago and Wellington in the second half of November 1873, and winning all three matches.
Midway through their tour of Australia, James Lillywhite's team played eight non-first-class matches in New Zealand between late January and early March 1877.
Australia toured in January and February 1878, playing seven non-first-class matches against provincial teams, winning four and losing one, against Canterbury.
Australia toured in January and February 1881, playing 12 non-first-class matches against provincial teams, winning six and losing one, against Wanganui.
[7] Australia toured in November and December 1886 and played five non-first-class matches against provincial teams, winning two and drawing three.
[10] Reese added that De Maus had obtained the last batting spot just ahead of Len Cuff, Alfred Holdship and Kinder Tucker.
He did not consider for selection those who had established reputations in Australia before they moved to New Zealand, such as Syd Callaway, Alfred Clarke, Harry Graham and Charles Richardson.