Robert Walls, who was first elected to represent Dunedin North (the electorate's previous and subsequent name) for the Labour Party in the 1945 by-election, died on 6 November 1953. This triggered the North Dunedin by-election, which was held on 12 December 1953.[1]Ethel McMillan was the candidate for the Labour Party and W. P. MacDougall was the candidate for the National Party. McMillan obtained 61.96% of the votes and was successful.[2]
McMillan became the first woman to represent Dunedin North and would represent the electorate until the 1975 election, when she was defeated against Richard Walls of the National Party.
Norton, Clifford (1988). New Zealand parliamentary election results, 1946–1987. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington Department of Political Science. ISBN0-475-11200-8. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)