Background
Atkinson was born in 1831 in the English village of Broxton, Cheshire.
Atkinson was born in 1831 in the English village of Broxton, Cheshire.
Atkinson received his education in England.
Atkinson left England for Taranaki province, in 1853 and attained distinction as a soldier in the wars of 1860 and 1863 against the native Maoris.
As minister of defense (1864–65) in the administration of Sir Frederick Weld, he advocated reliance on the colony’s own troops in fighting the Maoris.
On returning from a trip to England, he reentered Parliament in 1872 and became a leading figure in the “continuous ministry” of Sir Julius Vogel.
He was prime minister (1876–77) when the act of abolition of the provincial governments was passed.
As colonial treasurer (1879–82, 1882–83) and again as prime minister (1883–84, 1887–90), he combated a persistent economic depression by reducing government expenditures and increasing taxation, reversing the expansionist policies of Vogel.
He also tried to stimulate domestic industry by installing a protective tariff (1888) and by encouraging land settlement for farming.
After being defeated in the election of December 1890, he served as speaker of the legislative council.
Many of his ideas for social legislation were implemented in the Liberal ministry of John Ballance (1891–93).
After presiding over the first meeting of the Council on 28 June in the 1892 session, Atkinson returned to the Speaker’s Room, where he died.
Sir Harry Albert Atkinson served as the tenth Premier of New Zealand on four separate occasions in the late 19th century, and was Colonial Treasurer for a total of ten years. He was responsible for guiding the country during a time of economic depression, and was known as a cautious and prudent manager of government finances, though distrusted for some radical policies such as his 1882 National Insurance (welfare) scheme and leasehold land schemes. He also was noted for his strong belief in the need for seizure of Māori land.
He was knighted in 1888.
Atkinson thought that borrowing by provincial government (as opposed to the central government) was indeed out of control. He also also believed that provincial politicians were petty and self-interested, and that more co-operation was needed between provinces and the state. He did continue to express his opinions on these matters, but found it increasingly harder to convince people of his views.
He was a member of the Executive Council from 1868.
Though brusque in manner and never popular, he was esteemed as a vigorous, upright and practical statesman.
He was twice married, and had seven children, of whom three sons and a daughter survived him.
He married Amelia Jane Skinner (m. 1856; d. 1865) in 1856.
In 1866, however, he retired due to the death of his wife Amelia. The following year, he married his cousin Ann Elizabeth Smith (m. 1867).
(30 August 1853 – 3 July 1949)
(20 October 1833 – 10 December 1902)
(3 March 1909 – 27 February 1990)
(née Govett, 10 February 1886 – 13 December 1973)
(5 August 1863 – 26 March 1935)
(12 July 1821 – 3 August 1895)
(née Richmond, 15 September 1824 – 29 September 1914)
