John Williamson (25 August 1815 – 16 February 1875) was a New Zealand politician, printer and newspaper proprietor. He was a leading opponent of the 1860s wars against Māori and lost his newspaper and fortune as a result.[1]
Early life
Williamson was probably born on 25 August 1815,[1] or possibly February 1815,[2] in Newry, County Down, Ireland.
Career
He served his apprenticeship as a printer. He married Sarah Barre in either 1833 or 1834, and they were to have five children.
He purchased his own printing press in 1845 and started the New-Zealander, which became Auckland's leading newspaper. The editorial approach of the New-Zealander, was to support the ordinary settler and the Māori.[4]
He was joined by partner W. C. Wilson in 1848, until Wilson left to found the New Zealand Herald in 1863.[3] The New-Zealander ceased after a fire on 7 May 1866.[5] A coroner's hearing concluded there was insufficient information to determine the cause, though evidence was given of an unknown person running away.[6] In 1867 the Evening Post wrote, "It was a combination of leading men in Auckland—notably the business men—that killed the New Zealander, causing heavy loss to its actual proprietor and those conducting it. Why? It ventured to have an opinion, and to maintain it."[7]
He was a member of the Auckland Provincial Council in the first council from 22 July 1853, representing the Pensioner Settlements electorate. He served until 15 November 1856 as a councillor.[8] He was, over three periods, the fourth Superintendent of Auckland Province (1856–1862 resigned; 1867–1869 defeated; 1873–1875 died).[3][9] On 28 December 1865, he became a member of the Auckland Executive Council as commissioner of waste lands under Frederick Whitaker as Superintendent, until he succeeded him in 1867 following his resignation.[3][10]
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