Harry Atkinson

Sir Harry Atkinson
10th Premier of New Zealand
In office
1 September 1876 – 13 October 1877
MonarchVictoria
GovernorGeorge Phipps
William Jervois
William Onslow
Preceded byJulius Vogel
Succeeded bySir George Grey
In office
25 September 1883 – 16 August 1884
Preceded byFrederick Whitaker
Succeeded byRobert Stout
In office
28 August 1884 – 3 September 1884
Preceded byRobert Stout
Succeeded byRobert Stout
In office
8 October 1887 – 24 January 1891
Preceded byRobert Stout
Succeeded byJohn Ballance
7th Speaker of the Legislative Council
In office
23 January 1891 – 28 June 1892
Preceded byGeorge Waterhouse
Succeeded byHenry Miller
Personal details
Born
Harry Albert Atkinson

(1831-11-01)1 November 1831
Broxton, Cheshire, England
Died28 June 1892(1892-06-28) (aged 60)
Wellington, New Zealand
Resting placeKarori Cemetery, Wellington, New Zealand
Political partyNone
Spouses
Amelia Jane Skinner
(m. 1856; died 1865)
Ann Elizabeth Smith
(m. 1867)
Children7
RelativesArthur Atkinson (brother)
Maria Atkinson (sister-in-law)
William Richmond (brother-in-law)
Harry Atkinson (grandson)
Torchy Atkinson (grandson)[1]
Monica Brewster (granddaughter)
Arthur Atkinson (nephew)
Harry Atkinson (nephew)
Mary Richmond (niece)
Signature
Military service
AllegianceColony of New Zealand
RankMajor
UnitTaranaki Rifle Volunteers

Sir Harry Albert Atkinson KCMG (1 November 1831 – 28 June 1892) served as the tenth premier of New Zealand on four separate occasions in the late 19th century, and was Colonial Treasurer for a total of ten years. He was responsible for guiding the country during a time of economic depression, and was known as a cautious and prudent manager of government finances, though distrusted for some policies such as his 1882 National Insurance (welfare) scheme and leasehold land schemes. He also participated in the formation of voluntary military units to fight in the New Zealand Wars, and was noted for his strong belief in the need for seizure of Māori land.

  1. ^ Bollard, E. G. "John Dunstan Atkinson". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.