The ground state structures and magnetic properties of ZrₙNi (n = 1-9) clusters are studied by using first principles calculation. Firstly, we find the ground state configurations of ZrₙNi (n = 1-9) clusters. Secondly, the magic clusters (Zr₂Ni and Zr₇Ni) of ZrₙNi clusters are found by the comparisons of average binding energies, the second-order energy difference and energy gaps between the highest occupied orbital and the lowest unoccupied orbital of the ground state of ZrₙNi clusters. Thirdly, the calculated results show that magnetic moment of ZrₙNi (n = 1-2) clusters is 4 μ_{B}; however, the magnetic moment of ZrₙNi clusters is about 2 μ_{B} for n = 3-9 (exception for n = 7). Finally, it is found that the magnetic moment of ZrₙNi cluster mainly comes from Zr atom and Ni atom is the electron acceptor from the Mulliken population analysis.