Kumara (New Zealand electorate)

Kumara was a historical New Zealand parliamentary electorate that existed from 1876 to 1890. It was located on the West Coast of the South Island, and its name derives from the town of Kumara, a significant gold mining settlement.

The electorate was established for the 1876 election, replacing part of the Hokitika electorate. During its existence, Kumara was a volatile electorate, largely reflecting the transient population attracted by gold mining. Consequently, representation changed hands frequently between various political persuasions, including independents and those aligned with emerging political parties.

Notable Members of Parliament for Kumara included:

• Richard Seddon: Seddon, later a long-serving and influential Prime Minister of New Zealand, first entered Parliament as the Member for Kumara in an 1879 by-election. He represented the electorate until its abolition. His election cemented his reputation as a champion of the working class and marked the beginning of his significant political career.

The Kumara electorate was abolished in 1890, largely due to population shifts resulting from the decline in gold mining activity in the region. The area previously covered by the Kumara electorate was subsequently incorporated into other electorates. The legacy of the Kumara electorate remains significant due to its association with Richard Seddon and its representation of a unique period in New Zealand's history, characterized by gold rushes and rapid societal change.