Hawera (New Zealand electorate)

In the 1896 electoral redistribution, rapid population growth in the North Island required the transfer of three seats from the South Island to the north. Four electorates that previously existed were re-established, and three electorates were established for the first time, including Hawera.^[1] The New Plymouth electorate was abolished, the Egmont electorate shifted north, and the Patea electorate shifted east. This made room for the Taranaki and Hawera electorates.^[2] Settlements in the original Hawera electorate were the towns of Hāwera, Manaia, and Eltham.^[3]

In the 1902 electoral redistribution, Eltham was lost to the Patea electorate, but Ōpunake was gained from the Taranaki electorate.^[4] In the 1907 electoral redistribution, the Hawera electorate was abolished, and its area was distributed to the Patea and Egmont electorates.^[5]

Felix McGuire was the electorate's first representative. As an independent conservative, he had previously represented the Egmont electorate since a 1891 by-election after the resignation of Harry Atkinson.^[6] In the 1902 election, McGuire was defeated by Charles E. Major of the Liberal Party.^[7] McGuire and Major once again contested the Hawera electorate in 1905, and Major remained successful.^[8]

The Hawera electorate was abolished at the 1908 election.^[9] Major stood in the Patea electorate, but was defeated by the conservative politician George Pearce.^[10]

The Hawera electorate was represented by two Members of Parliament:^[9]

Key

  Conservative   Liberal

• McRobie, Alan (1989). Electoral Atlas of New Zealand. Wellington: GP Books. ISBN 0-477-01384-8.
• Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.