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. 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. Settlements that fell within the original Otago Central electorate included Roxburgh, Alexandra, and Ranfurly.

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.

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.

History

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

Members of Parliament

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

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

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