1890 New Zealand General Election

The Liberals' breakthrough

27 November (Māori) & 5 December (general) 1890 · The Liberal era · 74 seats, 38 for a majority

The 1890 New Zealand general election was one of New Zealand's most significant. It marked the beginning of party politics in New Zealand with the formation of the Liberal Government, which was to enact major welfare, labour and electoral reforms, including giving the vote to women.

Prime Minister before

Harry Atkinson

Conservative

Prime Minister after

John Ballance

Liberal

Largest force

Liberal

40 of 74 seats

Turnout

80.4%

The result

Sort by

Liberal

John Ballance · 56.1% of votes · +6 seats

seats

Conservative

Harry Atkinson · 28.9% of votes · -27 seats

seats

				Share of the House of Representatives
Liberal	John Ballance	40	+6		76,548	56.1%	—
Conservative	Harry Atkinson	25	-27		39,338	28.9%	—

9 further seats went to parties and independents outside the main contenders listed above.