Thomas Rowley (runholder)

Thomas Rowley
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Ellesmere
In office
25 January 1861 – 25 April 1862
Preceded byNew constituency
Succeeded byJames FitzGerald
Personal details
BornEngland
Died1903
Southwold, Suffolk
Political partyNone
SpouseEmily Rowley (née Mathias)
RelationsThomas Rowley (father)

Thomas Rowley (died 1903) was an early settler in Canterbury, New Zealand. His father was a member of the Canterbury Association and Dean-designate for ChristChurch Cathedral, but never came to the colony. Thomas Rowley and one brother emigrated, and he became a significant runholder. He later started acting as an agent for absentee landowners. He briefly served as a Member of Parliament for one of the rural Canterbury electorates. Rowley was active in church matters and married a daughter of Octavius Mathias, the first vicar of the Church of St Michael and All Angels. After 11 years in New Zealand, he returned to live in England.