# Harry Atkinson

_Prime Minister of New Zealand (1831-1892)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/harry-atkinson
Last updated: 2026-11-02

> Sir Harry Albert Atkinson served as the tenth premier of New Zealand on four 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.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 1 November 1831 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1361191#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Broxton ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1361191#P19))
- **Died:** 28 June 1892 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1361191#P570))
- **Place of death:** Wellington ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1361191#P20))
- **Citizenship:** New Zealand ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1361191#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1361191#P106))
- **Political party:** independent politician ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1361191#P102))
- **Positions held:** Speaker of the New Zealand Legislative Council (23 January 1891 – 28 June 1892); Minister of Education of New Zealand (8 April 1889 – 9 July 1889); Prime Minister of New Zealand (8 October 1887 – 24 January 1891); Minister of Finance (8 October 1887 – 24 January 1891); Prime Minister of New Zealand (28 August 1884 – 3 September 1884); Prime Minister of New Zealand (25 September 1883 – 16 August 1884); Minister of Finance (8 October 1879 – 16 August 1884); Prime Minister of New Zealand (1 September 1876 – 13 October 1877); Minister of Finance (1 September 1876 – 13 October 1877); Minister of Finance (6 July 1875 – 15 February 1876); Minister of Defence (24 November 1864 – 16 October 1865); Member of the New Zealand Parliament ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1361191#P39))
- **Awards:** Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1361191#P166))

## Questions

**When was Harry Atkinson born?**  
Harry Atkinson was born on 1 November 1831 in Broxton.

**What positions has Harry Atkinson held?**  
Positions held by Harry Atkinson include: Speaker of the New Zealand Legislative Council (1891–1892); Minister of Education of New Zealand (1889–1889); Prime Minister of New Zealand (1887–1891); Minister of Finance (1887–1891); Prime Minister of New Zealand (1884–1884).

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- [Keith Holyoake](https://diginpl.com/people/keith-holyoake)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Harry Atkinson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Atkinson) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q1361191](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1361191) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Sir Harry Albert Atkinson, ca 1885.jpg by Photographer unidentified (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sir_Harry_Albert_Atkinson,_ca_1885.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Harry Atkinson, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Sir Harry Albert Atkinson, ca 1885.jpg — Photographer unidentified, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Harry Atkinson". DigiNepal. Last updated 2 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/harry-atkinson. Retrieved 6 November 2026.