Pollen, Daniel

▪ prime minister of New Zealand

born June 2, 1813, Dublin

died May 18, 1896, New Zealand

      Irish-born physician, prime minister of New Zealand (1875–76), and a public figure who combined business and politics with his profession and worked for such liberal causes as the enfranchisement of women and the rights of the Maori.

      Pollen settled in New Zealand in the 1840s, purchased land, practiced medicine, and contributed articles to the New Zealander in support of such issues as temperance, libraries, and responsible government. Appointed to the Auckland superintendent's office (1852, 1854) and elected to the Provincial Council (1856, 1857–61), he accepted appointment as commissioner of crown lands for Auckland (1858–62) and began his life-long support of the Maori cause. Pollen served on the Legislative Council (1861–62, 1868–70), and in 1870, after attempting to resign in protest at the government's censure of his approval of a truce offer to a Maori guerrilla leader, he not only was agent for Auckland but also became receiver of land revenue, commissioner of confiscated lands, commissioner under the native land Act of 1870, and immigration officer.

      Recalled by the government of Sir Julius Vogel to the Legislative Council, Pollen joined this ministry as colonial secretary until he formed his own ministry for a few months (1875–76). He remained a member of the “continuous ministry” of Vogel and Sir Harry Atkinson as colonial secretary and native minister (1876–77), and he served on the Legislative Council until his death.

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