Otago Central

For the area of Otago, see Central Otago.

Otago Central or Central Otago was a parliamentary electorate in the Otago region of New Zealand, from 1911 to 1919 as Otago Central; from 1928 to 1957 as Central Otago; and from 1957 to 1978 as Otago Central. It was replaced by the Otago electorate. The electorate was represented by six Members of Parliament.

Population centres

In the 1911 electoral redistribution, the North Island gained a further seat from the South Island due to faster population growth. In addition, there were substantial population movements within each island, and significant changes resulted from this. Only four electorates were unaltered, five electorates were abolished, one former electorate was re-established, and four electorates, including Otago Central, were created for the first time.[1] The Otago Central electorate mostly covered areas that previously belonged to the Tuapeka and Taieri electorates, which were both abolished through the 1911 electoral redistribution.[2] Settlements that fell within the original Otago Central electorate included Roxburgh, Alexandra, and Ranfurly.[3]

In the 1918 electoral redistribution, the Otago Central electorate was abolished. Most of its area went to an enlarged Wakatipu electorate, but smaller areas went to the Clutha, Bruce, and Waitaki electorates.[4]

In the 1927 electoral redistribution, the North Island gained a further electorate from the South Island due to faster population growth. Five electorates were abolished, two former electorates, including Central Otago, were re-established, and three electorates were created for the first time.[5]

History

The first representative of the Otago Central electorate was Robert Scott, who was the incumbent from the Tuapeka electorate.[6]

Members of Parliament

The Otago Central electorate was represented by six Members of Parliament:[7]

Key

 Reform    United    United/Reform    National    Labour  

Election Winner
1911 election Robert Scott
1914 election
Abolished 1919, re-established as Central Otago 1928
1928 election William Bodkin
1931 election
1935 election
1938 election
1943 election
1946 election
1949 election
1951 election
1954 election John George
Renamed as Otago Central 1957
1957 election John George
(continued)
1960 election
1963 election
1966 election
1969 election Murray Rose
1972 election Ian Quigley
1975 election Warren Cooper
(Abolished 1978)

Election results

1931 election

General election, 1931: Central Otago[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
United William Bodkin 5,156 66.14
Independent Charles Todd 2,640 33.86
Majority 2,516 32.27
Informal votes 147 1.85
Turnout 7,943 82.10
Registered electors 9,675

Notes

  1. McRobie 1989, pp. 71–76.
  2. McRobie 1989, pp. 73–77.
  3. McRobie 1989, p. 77.
  4. McRobie 1989, pp. 77–81.
  5. McRobie 1989, pp. 83–88.
  6. Wilson 1985, p. 233.
  7. Wilson 1985, pp. 260, 269.
  8. The General Election, 1931. Government Printer. 1932. p. 2. Retrieved 2 November 2014.

References

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