New Zealand general election, 1879

1879 general election

1875–76 ← members 28 August – 15 September 1879 → 1881 members

All 88 seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives Turnout 66.5%   First party   Leader John Hall Party Independent Leader's seat Selwyn Last election 88 seats Seats won 88 Seat change Popular vote N/A Percentage N/A Swing N/A

Prime Minister before election George Grey Independent Prime Minister-designate John Hall Independent

The New Zealand general election of 1879 was held between 28 August and 15 September to elect a total of 88 MPs to the 7th session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Māori vote was held on 1 and 8 September. A total number of 82,271 (66%) voters turned out to vote.^[1]

The election came about when George Grey's government was defeated in a no-confidence motion in July. He successfully requested a dissolution from the Governor of New Zealand, Sir Hercules Robinson.^[2]

In that year, responsibility for determining election petitions was transferred from Parliament to the courts.

References

1. ^ "General elections 1853-2005 - dates & turnout". Elections New Zealand. http://www.elections.org.nz/elections/resultsdata/elections-dates-turnout.html. Retrieved 12 September 2010. 
2. ^ Martin, John E.(2004) "The House: New Zealand's House of Representatives, 1854-2004", Palmerston North: Dunmore Press, p.80