# Joseph Ward

_New Zealand politician (1856–1930)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/joseph-ward
Last updated: 2026-11-02

> Sir Joseph George Ward, 1st Baronet, was a New Zealand politician who served as the 17th prime minister of New Zealand from 1906 to 1912 and from 1928 to 1930. He was a dominant figure in the Liberal and United ministries of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 26 April 1856 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1371024#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Melbourne ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1371024#P19))
- **Died:** 8 July 1930 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1371024#P570))
- **Place of death:** Wellington ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1371024#P20))
- **Citizenship:** New Zealand ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1371024#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; diplomat ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1371024#P106))
- **Political party:** New Zealand Liberal Party ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1371024#P102))
- **Spouse:** Theresa Ward ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1371024#P26))
- **Positions held:** Prime Minister of New Zealand (10 December 1928 – 28 May 1930); Minister of Finance (10 December 1928 – 28 May 1930); Minister of Foreign Affairs (10 December 1928 – 28 May 1930); Member of the New Zealand Parliament (4 November 1925 – 8 July 1930); Minister of Finance (12 August 1915 – 21 August 1919); Minister of Agriculture (1 December 1908 – 1 May 1909); Minister of Defence (23 November 1906 – 28 March 1912); Prime Minister of New Zealand (6 August 1906 – 12 March 1912); Minister of Finance (6 August 1906 – 28 March 1912); Member of the New Zealand Parliament (since 1902); Minister of Health (8 November 1900 – 6 August 1906); Member of the New Zealand Parliament (5 August 1897 – 17 December 1919); Minister of Finance (1 May 1893 – 16 June 1896); Member of the New Zealand Parliament (26 September 1887 – 14 July 1897) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1371024#P39))
- **Awards:** Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George; Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1371024#P166))

## Questions

**When was Joseph Ward born?**  
Joseph Ward was born on 26 April 1856 in Melbourne.

**What positions has Joseph Ward held?**  
Positions held by Joseph Ward include: Prime Minister of New Zealand (1928–1930); Minister of Finance (1928–1930); Minister of Foreign Affairs (1928–1930); Member of the New Zealand Parliament (1925–1930); Minister of Finance (1915–1919).

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Joseph Ward](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Ward) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q1371024](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1371024) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Joseph Ward c. 1906.jpg by Unknown photographer (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Joseph_Ward_c._1906.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Joseph Ward, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Joseph Ward c. 1906.jpg — Unknown photographer, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Joseph Ward". DigiNepal. Last updated 2 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/joseph-ward. Retrieved 6 November 2026.