The Australian cricket team toured New Zealand in November 1896, playing five matches. They were returning from their 1896 tour of England. It was Australia's fourth tour of New Zealand, after tours in 1877-78, 1880-81 and 1886-87. The Australians played four matches against provincial teams, three of which fielded 18 players (the other team, Otago, fielded 15). The final match of the tour was against a New Zealand 15. It was New Zealand’s first international match, following the formation of the New Zealand Cricket Council in 1894. All previous Australian teams had played only against provincial sides.
