Thorndon: Home to New Zealand's politicians

Thorndon: Home to New Zealand's politicians

Thorndon has been home to many politicians. Although Premier House on Tinakori Road was bought in 1865 for the use of the New Zealand premier, Richard John Seddon (1845-1906), prime minister from 1893 to 1906, chose to live near Parliament, on Molesworth Street.

This photograph shows a party of Urewera chiefs visiting Seddon's ministerial residence in Molesworth Street in September 1895. Seddon is standing third from right and James Carroll (1857-1926), a member of government representing Māori, is fifth from left.The children are probably members of the Seddon family. While the reason for the deputation's visit is not recorded, a bill concerning Tuhoe land was under discussion in Parliament at this time.

Richard Seddon biography – Dictionary of New Zealand Biography

James Carroll biography – Dictionary of New Zealand Biography

Permission of the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa must be obtained before any reuse of this image

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