Waimea-Picton was a parliamentaryelectorate in theMarlborough andNelson Regions of New Zealand, from 1887 to 1893.
In the 1887 electoral redistribution, although theRepresentation Commission was required through the Representation Act 1887 to maintain existing electorates "as far as possible", rapid population growth in theNorth Island required the transfer of three seats from theSouth Island to the north. Ten new electorates were created, including Waimea-Picton, and one former electorate was recreated.[1] The electorate's original area covered the surroundings of the city ofNelson includingRichmond,Havelock, andPicton. The southern boundary was theWairau River.[2]
In December 1887, theHouse of Representatives voted to reduce its membership from general electorates from 91 to 70. The 1890 electoral redistribution used the same 1886 census data used for the 1887 electoral redistribution. In addition, three-member electorates were introduced in the four main centres. This resulted in a major restructuring of electorates, and the area covered by the Waimea-Picton electorate was significantly altered. The southern boundary shifted north, i.e. away from the Wairau River. Richmond was lost to theNelson electorate, and the area covered extended to the north-west to just short ofMotueka, absorbing much of the area previously covered by theMotueka electorate.[3]
In the 1893 electoral redistribution, population shift to theNorth Island required the transfer of one seat from theSouth Island to the north. The resulting ripple effect saw every electorate established in 1890 have its boundaries altered, and many electorates, including Waimea-Picton, were abolished.[4] Most of its area went to theWaimea-Sounds electorate. The town ofPicton went to theWairau electorate, but the town ofMotueka was gained from theBuller electorate.[5]
The electorate was represented by twoMembers of Parliament,Arthur Seymour from 1887 to 1890 andCharles H. Mills from 1890 to 1893.[6]
The1887 general election was contested by Seymour,Joseph Harkness and Mills, who received 446, 444 and 415 votes, respectively.[7]
The1890 general election in the Waimea-Picton electorate was contested by Mills,Richmond Hursthouse and William Henry Phillips, who received 936, 728 and 80 votes, respectively. Mills was thus elected.[8]
Key
| Election | Winner | |
| 1887 election | Arthur Seymour | |
| 1890 election | Charles H. Mills | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Charles H. Mills | 940 | 54.11 | ||
| Conservative | Richmond Hursthouse | 730 | 42.02 | ||
| Independent | William Henry Phillips | 67 | 3.85 | ||
| Majority | 210 | 12.08 | |||
| Turnout | 1,737 | 65.59 | |||
| Registered electors | 2,648 | ||||