Timaru (New Zealand electorate)
Encyclopedia
Timaru is a former New Zealand
Parliamentary electorate
, in the South Island
. It existed continuously from 1861 to 1996 and was represented by eleven Members of Parliament.
city of Timaru
.
and existed continuously until the 1996 election
.
Francis Jollie
was the first representative. In the 1866 election
, he successfully stood for Gladstone
. Alfred Cox
was the next representative, and he resigned in 1868 partway through the term. Edward Stafford
won the resulting 1868 by-election. He represented the electorate for a decade and resigned in 1878. Richard Turnbull
won the 1878 by-election and represented Timaru until 1890, when he died on 17 July. William Hall-Jones
won the 1890 by-election. He became Prime Minister
during his term, and retired in 1908.
James Craigie
was the next representative, from the 1908 election
. He retired in 1922. Craigie was succeeded by Francis Rolleston
, who was defeated at the 1928 election
.
From 1928 to 1985, the seat was held by two Labour MPs: Rev Clyde Carr
a Christian minister who was a supporter of John A. Lee
and remained a backbencher; and then Sir Basil Arthur
a hereditary baronet and later Speaker of the House.
David Lange
recalled in My Life (2005) the death of Sir Basil, and also that Labour lost the subsequent 1985 by-election
when "the Labour Party organisation insisted on the selection of a candidate who could hardly be less suited to the place" and "was a good lawyer but she did not live in Timaru, and her opinions, and even her appearance, were at odds with the conservative character of the electorate." Jim Sutton
won the seat back for Labour in 1993
.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
Parliamentary electorate
New Zealand electorates
An electorate is a voting district for elections to the Parliament of New Zealand. In informal discussion, electorates are often called seats. The most formal description, electoral district, is rarely seen outside of electoral legislation. Before 1996, all Members of Parliament were directly...
, in the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
. It existed continuously from 1861 to 1996 and was represented by eleven Members of Parliament.
Population centres
The electorate is partly urban, and is based on the South CanterburyCanterbury, New Zealand
The New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
city of Timaru
Timaru
TimaruUrban AreaPopulation:27,200Extent:Former Timaru City CouncilTerritorial AuthorityName:Timaru District CouncilPopulation:42,867 Land area:2,736.54 km² Mayor:Janie AnnearWebsite:...
.
History
The electorate was formed in 1861 for the 3rd Parliament3rd New Zealand Parliament
The 3rd New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. Elections for this term were held between 12 December 1860 and 28 March 1861 in 43 electorates to elect 53 MPs...
and existed continuously until the 1996 election
New Zealand general election, 1996
The 1996 New Zealand general election was held on 12 October 1996 to determine the composition of the 45th New Zealand Parliament. It was notable for being the first election to be held under the new Mixed Member Proportional electoral system, and produced a parliament considerably more diverse...
.
Francis Jollie
Francis Jollie
Francis Jollie was a 19th century New Zealand politician.He was one of the earliest settlers in the country, having arrived in 1842 as the agent of the New Zealand Company....
was the first representative. In the 1866 election
New Zealand general election, 1866
The New Zealand general election of 1866 was held between 12 February and 6 April to elect 70 MPs to the fourth term of the New Zealand Parliament. 13,196 votes were cast....
, he successfully stood for Gladstone
Gladstone (New Zealand electorate)
Gladstone was a former parliamentary electorate in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand, from 1866 to 1890.-Geographic coverage:Gladstone was located in the South Canterbury region. In 1866 and 1871, the nomination meetings were held in Waimate.-History:...
. Alfred Cox
Alfred Cox (politician)
Alfred Cox was a 19th century Member of Parliament in Canterbury, New Zealand.He represented the Heathcote electorate from 1863 to 1866 , then the Timaru electorate from 1866 to 1868...
was the next representative, and he resigned in 1868 partway through the term. Edward Stafford
Edward Stafford (politician)
Sir Edward Stafford, KCMG served as the third Premier of New Zealand on three occasions in the mid 19th century. His total time in office is the longest of any leader without a political party. He is described as pragmatic, logical, and clear-sighted.-Early life and career:Edward William Stafford...
won the resulting 1868 by-election. He represented the electorate for a decade and resigned in 1878. Richard Turnbull
Richard Turnbull (politician)
Richard Turnbull was a 19th century Member of Parliament in Canterbury, New Zealand.He represented the Timaru electorate from 1878 to 1890 when he died.-References:...
won the 1878 by-election and represented Timaru until 1890, when he died on 17 July. William Hall-Jones
William Hall-Jones
Sir William Hall-Jones, KCMG was the 16th Prime Minister of New Zealand from June 1906 until August 1906. He was the interim Prime Minister after the death of Richard Seddon and the return from overseas of Joseph Ward....
won the 1890 by-election. He became Prime Minister
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
during his term, and retired in 1908.
James Craigie
James Craigie
James Craigie was a Member of Parliament for Timaru, in the South Island of New Zealand.-Member of Parliament:James Craigie represented the Timaru electorate in the New Zealand House of Representatives for fourteen years from 1908 to 1922.-Independent Liberal:In the 1919 election, Craigie broke...
was the next representative, from the 1908 election
New Zealand general election, 1908
The New Zealand general election of 1908 was held on Tuesday, 17 November, 24 November and 1 December in the general electorates, and on Wednesday, 2 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 17th session of the New Zealand Parliament...
. He retired in 1922. Craigie was succeeded by Francis Rolleston
Francis Rolleston
Francis Joseph Rolleston was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.He represented the Timaru electorate from 1922 to 1928, when he was defeated....
, who was defeated at the 1928 election
New Zealand general election, 1928
The New Zealand general election of 1928 was held on Tuesday, 13 November in the Māori electorates, and on Wednesday, 14 November in the general electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 23rd session of the New Zealand Parliament...
.
From 1928 to 1985, the seat was held by two Labour MPs: Rev Clyde Carr
Clyde Carr
Rev Clyde Leonard Carr was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party, and was a minister of the Congregational Church.Ordained as a minister in 1915, he was on the Christchurch City Council between 1923 and 1927 and the Hospital Board in the 1920s, after working in commerce and banking.He...
a Christian minister who was a supporter of John A. Lee
John A. Lee
John Alfred Alexander Lee DCM was a New Zealand politician and writer. He is one of the more prominent avowed socialists in New Zealand's political history.-Early life:...
and remained a backbencher; and then Sir Basil Arthur
Basil Arthur
Sir Basil Malcolm Arthur, 5th Baronet served as Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 1984 to 1985. He was a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:...
a hereditary baronet and later Speaker of the House.
David Lange
David Lange
David Russell Lange, ONZ, CH , served as the 32nd Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1984 to 1989. He headed New Zealand's fourth Labour Government, one of the most reforming administrations in his country's history, but one which did not always conform to traditional expectations of a...
recalled in My Life (2005) the death of Sir Basil, and also that Labour lost the subsequent 1985 by-election
Timaru by-election, 1985
The Timaru by-election of 1980 was a by-election for the electorate of Timaru during the 40th New Zealand Parliament. It was triggered by the death of Basil Arthur on 1 May 1985....
when "the Labour Party organisation insisted on the selection of a candidate who could hardly be less suited to the place" and "was a good lawyer but she did not live in Timaru, and her opinions, and even her appearance, were at odds with the conservative character of the electorate." Jim Sutton
Jim Sutton
James Robert Sutton, CNZM , generally known as Jim Sutton, was a New Zealand politician from 1984–1990 and from 1993–2006. He has held a range of ministerial portfolios including Agriculture, Forestry, Rural Affairs, Biosecurity, and Trade Negotiations.-Biography:Sutton was born in...
won the seat back for Labour in 1993
New Zealand general election, 1993
The 1993 New Zealand general election was held on 6 November 1993 to determine the composition of the 44th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Jim Bolger, win a second term in office, despite a major swing back towards the Labour Party. The new Alliance and New...
.
Election results
| Election | Winner | |
| 1861 election | Francis Jollie Francis Jollie Francis Jollie was a 19th century New Zealand politician.He was one of the earliest settlers in the country, having arrived in 1842 as the agent of the New Zealand Company.... (Independent) |
|
| 1866 election New Zealand general election, 1866 The New Zealand general election of 1866 was held between 12 February and 6 April to elect 70 MPs to the fourth term of the New Zealand Parliament. 13,196 votes were cast.... |
Alfred Cox Alfred Cox (politician) Alfred Cox was a 19th century Member of Parliament in Canterbury, New Zealand.He represented the Heathcote electorate from 1863 to 1866 , then the Timaru electorate from 1866 to 1868... (Independent) |
|
| 1868 by-election | Edward Stafford Edward Stafford (politician) Sir Edward Stafford, KCMG served as the third Premier of New Zealand on three occasions in the mid 19th century. His total time in office is the longest of any leader without a political party. He is described as pragmatic, logical, and clear-sighted.-Early life and career:Edward William Stafford... (Independent) |
|
| 1871 election | ||
| 1875 election | ||
| 1878 by-election | Richard Turnbull Richard Turnbull (politician) Richard Turnbull was a 19th century Member of Parliament in Canterbury, New Zealand.He represented the Timaru electorate from 1878 to 1890 when he died.-References:... (Independent) |
|
| 1879 election New Zealand general election, 1879 The New Zealand general election of 1879 was held between 28 August and 15 September to elect a total of 88 MPs to the 7th session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Māori vote was held on 1 and 8 September. A total number of 82,271 voters turned out to vote.The election came about when George... |
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| 1881 election New Zealand general election, 1881 The New Zealand general election of 1881 was held 9 December to elect a total of 95 MPs to the 8th session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Māori vote was held on 8 December... |
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| 1884 election New Zealand general election, 1884 The New Zealand general election of 1884 was held on 22 July to elect a total of 95 MPs to the 9th session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Māori vote was held on 21 July. A total number of 137,686 voters turned out to vote.-References:... |
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| 1887 election New Zealand general election, 1887 The New Zealand general election of 1887 was held on 26 September to elect 95 MPs to the tenth session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Māori vote was held on 7 September. 175,410 votes were cast.... |
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| 1890 by-election | William Hall-Jones William Hall-Jones Sir William Hall-Jones, KCMG was the 16th Prime Minister of New Zealand from June 1906 until August 1906. He was the interim Prime Minister after the death of Richard Seddon and the return from overseas of Joseph Ward.... (Independent, then Liberal New Zealand Liberal Party The New Zealand Liberal Party is generally regarded as having been the first real political party in New Zealand. It governed from 1891 until 1912. Out of office, the Liberals gradually found themselves pressed between the conservative Reform Party and the growing Labour Party... ) |
|
| 1890 election New Zealand general election, 1890 The New Zealand general election of 1890 was one of New Zealand's most significant. It marked the beginning of party politics in New Zealand with the formation of the First Liberal government, which was to enact major welfare, labour and electoral reforms, including giving the vote to women.It was... |
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| 1893 election New Zealand general election, 1893 The New Zealand general election of 1893 was held on Tuesday, 28 November in the general electorates, and on Wednesday, 20 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 74 MPs to the 12th session of the New Zealand Parliament... |
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| 1896 election New Zealand general election, 1896 The New Zealand general election of 1896 was held on Wednesday, 4 December in the general electorates, and on Thursday, 19 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 74 MPs to the 13th session of the New Zealand Parliament... |
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| 1899 election New Zealand general election, 1899 The New Zealand general election of 1899 was held on Wednesday, 6 December in the general electorates, and on Tuesday, 19 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 74 MPs to the 14th session of the New Zealand Parliament. A total number of 373,744 voters turned out to... |
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| 1902 election New Zealand general election, 1902 The New Zealand general election of 1902 was held on Tuesday, 25 November in the general electorates, and on Monday, 22 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 15th session of the New Zealand Parliament... |
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| 1905 election New Zealand general election, 1905 The New Zealand general election of 1905 was held on Wednesday, 6 December in the general electorates, and on Wednesday, 20 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 16th session of the New Zealand Parliament... |
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| 1908 election New Zealand general election, 1908 The New Zealand general election of 1908 was held on Tuesday, 17 November, 24 November and 1 December in the general electorates, and on Wednesday, 2 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 17th session of the New Zealand Parliament... |
James Craigie James Craigie James Craigie was a Member of Parliament for Timaru, in the South Island of New Zealand.-Member of Parliament:James Craigie represented the Timaru electorate in the New Zealand House of Representatives for fourteen years from 1908 to 1922.-Independent Liberal:In the 1919 election, Craigie broke... (Liberal New Zealand Liberal Party The New Zealand Liberal Party is generally regarded as having been the first real political party in New Zealand. It governed from 1891 until 1912. Out of office, the Liberals gradually found themselves pressed between the conservative Reform Party and the growing Labour Party... , then Independent) |
|
| 1911 election New Zealand general election, 1911 The New Zealand general election of 1911 was held on Thursday, 7 and 14 December in the general electorates, and on Tuesday, 19 December in the Māori electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 18th session of the New Zealand Parliament... |
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| 1914 election New Zealand general election, 1914 The New Zealand general election of 1914 was held on 10 December to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 19th session of the New Zealand Parliament. A total number of 616,043 voters were registered, of which 84.7% voters turned out to vote.... |
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| 1919 election | ||
| 1922 election New Zealand general election, 1922 The New Zealand general election of 1922 was held on Monday, 6 December in the Māori electorates, and on Tuesday, 7 December in the general electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 21st session of the New Zealand Parliament... |
Francis Rolleston Francis Rolleston Francis Joseph Rolleston was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.He represented the Timaru electorate from 1922 to 1928, when he was defeated.... (Reform New Zealand Reform Party The Reform Party, formally the New Zealand Political Reform League, was New Zealand's second major political party, having been founded as a conservative response to the original Liberal Party... ) |
|
| 1925 election New Zealand general election, 1925 The New Zealand general election of 1925 was held 4 November to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 22nd session of the New Zealand Parliament... |
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| 1928 election New Zealand general election, 1928 The New Zealand general election of 1928 was held on Tuesday, 13 November in the Māori electorates, and on Wednesday, 14 November in the general electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 23rd session of the New Zealand Parliament... |
Clyde Carr Clyde Carr Rev Clyde Leonard Carr was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party, and was a minister of the Congregational Church.Ordained as a minister in 1915, he was on the Christchurch City Council between 1923 and 1927 and the Hospital Board in the 1920s, after working in commerce and banking.He... (Labour New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.... ) |
|
| 1931 election New Zealand general election, 1931 The 1931 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 24th term. It resulted in the newly formed coalition between the United Party and the Reform Party remaining in office as the Liberal-Reform Government, although the opposition Labour... |
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| 1935 election New Zealand general election, 1935 The 1935 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 25th term. It resulted in the Labour Party's first electoral victory, with Michael Joseph Savage becoming the first Labour Prime Minister... |
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| 1938 election New Zealand general election, 1938 The 1938 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 26th term. It resulted in the governing Labour Party being re-elected, although the newly-founded National Party gained a certain amount of ground.-Background:The Labour Party had won... |
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| 1943 election New Zealand general election, 1943 The 1943 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 27th term. With the onset of World War II, elections were initially postponed, but it was eventually decided to hold a general election in September 1943, around two years after it... |
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| 1946 election New Zealand general election, 1946 The 1946 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 28th term. It saw the governing Labour Party re-elected, but by a substantially narrower margin than in the three previous elections... |
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| 1949 election New Zealand general election, 1949 The 1949 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 29th term. It saw the governing Labour Party defeated by the opposition National Party... |
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| 1951 election New Zealand general election, 1951 The 1951 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 30th term. It saw the governing National Party remain in office, increasing its lead over the opposition Labour Party.-Background:... |
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| 1954 election New Zealand general election, 1954 The 1954 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 31st term. It saw the governing National Party remain in office, but with a slightly reduced majority... |
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| 1957 election New Zealand general election, 1957 The 1957 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 32nd term. It saw the governing National Party narrowly defeated by the Labour Party... |
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| 1960 election New Zealand general election, 1960 The 1960 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 33rd term. It saw the governing Labour Party defeated by the National Party, putting an end to the short second Labour government.-Background:... |
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| 1962 by-election | Basil Arthur Basil Arthur Sir Basil Malcolm Arthur, 5th Baronet served as Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 1984 to 1985. He was a member of the Labour Party.-Early life:... (Labour New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.... ) |
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| 1963 election New Zealand general election, 1963 The 1963 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 34th term. The results were almost identical to those for the previous election, and the governing National Party remained in office.... |
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| 1966 election New Zealand general election, 1966 The 1966 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 35th term. It saw the governing National Party win a third consecutive term in office... |
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| 1969 election New Zealand general election, 1969 The 1969 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 36th term. It saw the governing National Party win a fourth consecutive term, under Prime Minister Keith Holyoake.-The Election:... |
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| 1972 election New Zealand general election, 1972 The New Zealand general election of 1972 was held to elect MPs to the 37th session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Labour Party, led by Norman Kirk, defeated the governing National Party.-Background:... |
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| 1975 election New Zealand general election, 1975 The 1975 New Zealand general election was held to elect MPs to the 38th session of the New Zealand Parliament. It was the first election in New Zealand where 18-20 year olds and all permanent residents of New Zealand were eligible to vote, although only citizens were able to be... |
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| 1978 election New Zealand general election, 1978 The 1978 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to elect the 39th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Robert Muldoon, retain office, although the opposition Labour Party managed to win the largest share of the vote... |
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| 1981 election New Zealand general election, 1981 The 1981 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 40th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Robert Muldoon, win a third term in office, although the opposition Labour Party, led by Bill Rowling, actually won the largest share of... |
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| 1984 election New Zealand general election, 1984 The 1984 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 41st New Zealand Parliament. It marked the beginning of the Fourth Labour Government, with David Lange's Labour Party defeating long-serving Prime Minister Robert Muldoon of the National Party. It was also the... |
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| 1985 by-election Timaru by-election, 1985 The Timaru by-election of 1980 was a by-election for the electorate of Timaru during the 40th New Zealand Parliament. It was triggered by the death of Basil Arthur on 1 May 1985.... |
Maurice McTigue Maurice McTigue Maurice Patrick McTigue, QSO was a New Zealand politician of the National Party. He was a Cabinet Minister in the Fourth National Government from 1990 to 1993, holding the Employment portfolio, among others.... (National New Zealand National Party The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:... ) |
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| 1987 election New Zealand general election, 1987 The 1987 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 43rd sitting of the New Zealand Parliament. The governing New Zealand Labour Party, led by Prime Minister David Lange, was re-elected for a second term, although the Opposition National Party made gains... |
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| 1990 election New Zealand general election, 1990 The 1990 New Zealand general election was held on 27 October to determine the composition of the 43rd New Zealand parliament. The governing Labour Party was defeated, ending its controversial two terms in office... |
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| 1993 election New Zealand general election, 1993 The 1993 New Zealand general election was held on 6 November 1993 to determine the composition of the 44th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Jim Bolger, win a second term in office, despite a major swing back towards the Labour Party. The new Alliance and New... |
Jim Sutton Jim Sutton James Robert Sutton, CNZM , generally known as Jim Sutton, was a New Zealand politician from 1984–1990 and from 1993–2006. He has held a range of ministerial portfolios including Agriculture, Forestry, Rural Affairs, Biosecurity, and Trade Negotiations.-Biography:Sutton was born in... (Labour New Zealand Labour Party The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.... ) |