John Stevens (New Zealand politician)

John Stevens, ca. 1900–1902

John Stevens (1845 – 31 July 1916) was a Liberal Party Member of Parliament in New Zealand.

Biography

Early life

Stevens was born in Wellington in 1845. Stevens moved north and resided in first the Rangitikei then Manawatu districts from 1854. He made a living in agricultural until 1873, when he was hired by Henry Russell as an assistant and interpreter during a Native Lands Alienation Commission at Napier. He pursued an occupation as a Maori interpreter and land agent, then began an auctioneering and land agency in 1875.

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament

Years	Term	Electorate		Party
1881–1884	8th	Rangitikei			Independent
1893–1896	12th	Rangitikei			Liberal
1896–1899	13th	Manawatu			Liberal
1899–1902	14th	Manawatu			Liberal
1905–1908	16th	Manawatu			Liberal

Stevens represented the Rangitikei electorate from 1881 to 1884 when he was defeated, and then from 1893 to 1896. He unsuccessfully contested the Palmerston electorate in the 1890 election.

He then represented the Manawatu electorate from 1896 to 1902 when he was defeated, and from 1905 to 1908 when he was again defeated.

Later life

In his later years, he had become blind and his lower limbs were paralysed, but he was in good spirits and would not allow others to sympathise with him. He was in the midst of a conversation with friends when he leaned back and died on 31 July 1916.