Egmont is a former New Zealand electorate, in south Taranaki. It existed from 1871 to 1978.
Geographic coverage Egmont is the old name of the mountain that is the Taranaki landmark of Mount Taranaki. A village north of the mountain is also called Egmont.
History This rural electorate was formed in 1871. Mount Egmont, after which it is named, was confiscated from Māori by the New Zealand Government under the powers of the New Zealand Settlements Act 1863, following the Second Taranaki War.
William Gisborne was the first elected representative in 1871, elected unopposed. He was a minister in the third Fox Ministry and resigned from Parliament when the government fell on 10 September 1872. Harry Atkinson won the resulting 1872 by-election. He held the electorate until 1891, when he resigned. During this time, he was Premier on four occasions.
Atkinson's resignation caused the 1891 by-election, which was won by Felix McGuire. He held the electorate until 1896, when he (successfully) stood for the Hawera electorate instead. He was succeeded by Walter Symes from 1896 until 1902, when he (successfully) stood for Patea.
The 1902 election was unusual in that two of the candidates died during the election campaign. The first one was John Elliot, who had narrowly lost the 1890 election against Edward Smith. Elliot died on 14 September; the Taranaki Herald had picked him as the likely winner of the 1902 contest. Elliot's death resulted in Richmond Hursthouse putting his name forward, only for him to die on 11 November. The election was contested between Bill Jennings and Charles Leech, with the former winning by seven votes following a recount. Jennings represented the electorate until 1908, when he (successfully) stood for Taumarunui.
Bradshaw Dive was elected in 1908 and held the electorate for one term. He was defeated in 1911 by Thomas Mackenzie, who resigned in 1912. Charles Wilkinson won the resulting 1912 by-election and retired in 1919. He was succeeded by Oswald Hawken, who won the 1919 election, but was defeated in 1928 by Wilkinson coming out of his retirement. This time, Wilkinson held the electorate until 1943, when he retired for good.
The electorate was then held by three members of the National Party; Ernest Corbett (1943–57), William Sheat (1957–66) and Venn Young (1966–78).
Egmont was abolished in 1978, and was replaced by the Waitotara electorate.
Members of Parliament Egmont was represented by twelve Members of Parliament:
Key
ElectionWinner William Gisborne Harry Atkinson 1876 election Felix McGuire Walter Symes Bill Jennings Bradshaw Dive Thomas Mackenzie Charles Wilkinson Oswald Hawken Charles Wilkinson Ernest Corbett William Sheat Venn Young (Electorate abolished 1978; see )
Election results 1975 election
1972 election
1969 election
1966 election
1963 election
1960 election
1957 election
1954 election
1951 election
1949 election
1946 election
1943 election
1938 election
1935 election
1931 election
1928 election
1925 election
1922 election
1919 election
1914 election
1912 by-election
1911 election
1908 election
1905 election
1902 election
1899 election
1896 election
1893 election
1891 by-election
1890 election
Notes
References